Charles Serra

Charles J. “Chuck” Serra, 90, of Oelwein, Iowa, departed this world on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.

Charles Joseph Serra was born March 7, 1935, at home on the south side of Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Charles and Theresa (Leo) Serra. He received his education and sacraments at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and school.

On July 7, 1957, he was united in marriage to Connie Lou Luther in Des Moines. They shared 65 wonderful years together and built a strong, close-knit family of four children, Julie, Janette, Gina and Charles, Jr.

Charles was in pharmaceutical sales for 55 years, earning several national sales awards and becoming a district manager for Walgreen’s. In his younger years, he was co-owner of Leonard’s Dance Studio, highlighting celebration with his favorite dance partner, Connie. Charles and Connie traveled extensively, domestically and in Asia and Europe. He visited his family’s homeland, Italy, and was able to see St. John Paul II at the Vatican. Charles enjoyed his family’s tradition of gardening, once planting 175 tomato plants with his friend, Dr. Mike Puff.

Charles was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein and Sacred Heart Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of Society of Italian Americans, and former President of Oelwein Husky Booster Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Connie on August 22, 2022, his sisters, Lucrezia Fazio, Frances McNaney, Dorothy Pugliese, his brothers, Frank and Raymond, and several in-laws.

Charles is survived by his children: Julie (Philip) Lund of Happy Valley, Oregon, Janette (Mike) Simon of Oelwein, Gina (Art) Koch of Crystal Lake, Illinois and Charles, Jr. (Tina) Serra, of Crystal Lake, Illinois; 13 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and one sister, Rosemary Acri of Green Valley, Arizona.

Services to celebrate Charles’s life will be held as follows:
Rosary: 10:00 A.M., Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein.
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 A.M., Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein with Fr. Ray Atwood officiating.
Everyone is invited to share a meal with the family in the Sacred Heart Church Social Hall following the Mass from 11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. with memory sharing continuing until 2:00 P.M.
Final Resting Place: Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in his name to Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Oelwein Husky Booster Club.
Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein is assisting the family.
Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com