Charles Goldsworthy
On July 1, 2026, Charles Vernon Goldsworthy passed peacefully away at Milestone Senior Living Center in Eagle River, Wisconsin.
Born to Vernon Charles Goldsworthy and Esther Margaret (nee Schwoegler) on June 15, 1935, in Wisconsin Rapids, Charles moved to Sturgeon Bay with his family in 1949 and graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School in 1953.
He was a proud graduate of UW-Madison’s College of Agriculture, earning a degree in landscape architecture in 1957. While attending college, Charles, like his father, was a member of the UW track and field team. Shortly after graduation, Charles married Elizabeth Anne (Bette) Edelman on September 14, 1957, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Antigo, Wisconsin. He then started his career in sales and marketing for Pillsbury.
As a result, the newlyweds soon moved to Birmingham, Alabama, and subsequently to Chattanooga, Tennessee, as part of his job. In 1960, the couple moved to Eagle River, Wisconsin, where he accepted a position with Cranberry Products, Inc. in sales and marketing. He assumed the presidency in 1977 and served until the office's closure in 1990. Although he no longer processed fruit, he continued to take an interest in the family’s cranberry marshes in Tomahawk, Three Lakes, and Clearwater Lake, which were run by his sons.
He also served as president of the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association in 1969 and on the board of the Crandon National Bank. Upon their retirement, Charles and Bette traveled extensively and especially enjoyed their time in the Florida Keys, taking advantage of the sunshine and ocean. They also enjoyed sharing their lives with several cocker spaniels.
He was preceded in death by his father, Vernon; mother, Esther; wife, Bette; sister, Judy (Rosemurgy); and son, Mark.
He is survived by daughters, Margaret (Paul Byerlein) of Phoenix, AZ, and Anne Marie (Dennis DeLoye) of Wausau; son, Tim (Linda) of Three Lakes, and daughter-in-law, Denise Goldsworthy of Minocqua; sisters, Mary Kunkel (Richard) of Shoreline, WA, and Sara Liston (Patrick) of Baraboo; and longtime companion, Kathleen Johnson of Eagle River. He is further survived by grandchildren Zachary Goldsworthy (Barbara) of Scottsdale, AZ; Luke Goldsworthy (Felicia) of Temecula, CA; Molly Goldsworthy (Charlie Saeger) of Three Lakes; Elizabeth Unkefer (Britt) of St. Thomas Virgin Islands; Daniel Goldsworthy of Three Lakes; Samuel DeLoye (Hannah) of Eau Claire; Maggie Solomon (Austin) of Wausau; Charlie DeLoye (Mady) of Chattanooga, TN; Joe DeLoye of Wausau; Tim DeLoye (Taylor) of Minneapolis, Minn.; and David DeLoye of Castle Rock, CO. Additionally, he is survived by 14 great grandchildren.
As per his request, no funeral services will be held. Memorials may be made to the Eagle River Food Pantry in his honor.
Arrangements by Gaffney-Busha Funeral Home, Eagle River. Online condolences may be expressed at gaffney-busha.com
