Charles Francis Zwisler Jr.

Charles Francis Zwisler Jr., 97, formerly of Mankato, died on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019 in Baxter, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Brainerd at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, with visitation beginning the hour prior to services. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Mankato. Memorials may be given to the Breath of Life Adult Day Services at the Good Samaritan Campus, Brainerd.

Charles was born Sept. 13, 1921, to Charles F. and Marie (Burke) Zwisler Sr. in Clinton, Iowa. He graduated from Kohler High School in Wisconsin in 1939. He did his pre-dental education at St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota. In 1945 Charles graduated from the University of Minnesota Dental School. He was a member of the Naval Reserve during dental school and upon graduation was commissioned a Lieutenant J.G. in the Navy Dental Corps. After serving stateside he practiced dentistry for one year in St. Cloud, Minnesota, before attending Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois. He received his Master of Science degree in orthodontics in 1949. Charles married Lois Olson on Sept. 5, 1945 in Reynolds, North Dakota. He practiced orthodontics in Mankato, Minnesota, his entire career. He was very involved in his profession. He taught at the University of Minnesota Dental School as well as Mankato State University. He was a member of the Blue Earth County Dental Association, Southern District Dental Association, the Minnesota Dental Association, the American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontics. He was a diplomat of the American Board of Orthodontics and past president of the Minnesota Dental Association. Other organizations that he was proud to serve in were the Mankato Association for Retarded Citizens and the Minnesota Association for Retarded Citizens. He was a charter member of the Mankato Serra Club and a member of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree. Charles had a great appreciation for the out of doors and shared his love of fishing, canoeing and hiking with his family. He was an avid amateur radio operator (KØKLY) and reader.