Charles Namanny

Charles Namanny, 85, of Lewis, Iowa, died Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Caring Acres, Anita, Iowa.

He was born on November 5, 1940, in Shelby, Iowa, to Clarence and Frankie (Nissen) Namanny. He would grow up on a farm five miles west of Walnut, Iowa, until being inducted into the Army in January 1964. He was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. After completing a course in Construction Machine Operation, he was transferred to Hellinger, West Germany, where he operated a bull dozer and was involved in building the base airstrip, as well as training on how to handle unexploded WWII bombs they may encounter during construction. Charles would treasure his time in the military and would often speak of excursions with his military buddies. After returning from Europe, Charles went back to farming growing crops for a time and later switched to grass, hay and herds of cattle. He loved the independence farming offered.

One day he walked into Mitch’s and there was a lovely gal waiting his table. Later they would joke that he caught her attention by putting his tip on the counter right away and then taking it on accident when he left, thinking it was his change. It must have worked; he married Janice Marie South on November 30, 1992. For the remainder of his life, he was referred to as her own Gregory Peck! The couple made Atlantic home until moving to Lewis in 2014. Together they enjoyed visiting family in Kentucky and Florida. They frequently took drives around the countryside and Charles especially made sure she got to enjoy her favorite bright autumn colors.

Charles started working at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in November of 1999. He worked in housekeeping at the hospital for 13 years; fully retiring at the age of 73.

In his leisure time, Charles enjoyed attending auto races in Harlan and Corning, watching races on TV, and otherwise kind of thought of himself as a “couch potato”. He also subscribed to a number of car racing and farming magazines to keep up with the latest information on machinery improvements. After moving to Lewis, he did look forward to stopping at the library when he got the mail every day; he said he liked their coffee, it was not because he was a bookworm. He was a social man with a contagious laugh and made friends easily.

But he always looked forward to family gatherings and being taken out on his annual birthday meal with his nephews. Just Charles and his nephews – no one else. He will be missed by family and friends and will forever be in our hearts. We’re thankful he’s at peace in heaven.

Charles is survived by his nephews; Kreig (Naomi) Namanny of Atlantic, Ken (Lori) Namanny of Cumberland, and Kerry (Karine) Namanny of Cumberland; sisters-in-law, Linda Berge and Carol (Kim Thompson) Wright; step-children, Mike (Della) Woolsey, Rob (LuAnn) Woolsey, Steve (Roxanne) Woolsey and Tena Weber; and many step-grandchildren, step-nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Janice; parents, Clarence and Frankie (Nissen); brother and sister-in-law, Eugene and LaDonna Namanny; nephews, Keith Namanny and Kevin Namanny and wife, Deb; step-son, Terry Woolsey; and brothers-in-law, Charles South, Dennis Berge and Fred Berge and his wife, Jane.

A Celebration of Life service will be Saturday, April 25th, at 11:00 a.m. at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic. A luncheon will immediately follow the service followed by inurnment at Oakfield Cemetery in Brayton. Atlantic Color Guard will be presenting full honors while at the cemetery. Pastor Kyle McBee of Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic is presiding over the services.

The family would like to thank everyone for their kind and generous memorials for Charles at this time. 

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Charles’ family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.