Chuck Lilligren, long time farm director of WCCO in Minneapolis, passed away Friday at the age of 89. http://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/224978/?fullname=chuck-lilligren I don't know how active he was on the air, but I did work him at least once on 10 meters back in the 1970's. He was a most familiar voice, since just about every radio in the state was permanently tuned to WCCO, and he was a fixture there in the mornings.
Chuck L. Lilligren, Sr, W0RNA SK 10-10 Number: 15887 Chuck Lilligren age 89 of Anoka, former long-time resident of Ham Lake, passed away November 3, 2017. Chuck had a long and distinguished career as an on air radio personality, including nearly 24 years at WCCO-AM as their Farm Director. He also showed Morgan horses that he raised at his farm in Ham Lake. Chuck embraced his Native heritage as a member of the White Earth tribe, studying the language and customs of his Ojibwe ancestry. He was born June 8, 1928, in Santa Monica, California and was raised in Minneapolis. He graduated from West High School, and after serving in the U.S. Army, he attended the University of Minnesota. He eventually graduated from Brown Institute and landed his first radio job in Marshfield, Wisconsin. After stints in Columbus, Ohio, and Duluth, Minnesota, he came to WCCO radio. After a brief time at KSTP radio, he finally retired from KLBB. He was preceded in death by parents Leslie "Ted" and Hilda Lilligren, and brother Robert "Dick" Lilligren. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years Marge, and seven children: Lesley (Paul) Lilligren, Chuck (Mary) Lilligren Jr., Lisbeth (Tom) Nelson, David (Bel) Lilligren, Lisa (George) Meindl, Robert (Steve) Lilligren, and Laura Lilligren. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. The family would like to acknowledge and thank the doctors and staff at Unity Hospital in Fridley for their compassion and care extended to Dad. Services 10 AM Friday, November 10, 2017 Church of Blessed Gitchitwaa Kateri, 3045 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota with wake after 5 PM Thursday. Interment Sunset Memorial Park, Minneapolis. Historic Thomson-Dougherty 612-871-4407 Published on November 4, 2017 http://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/224978/?fullname=chuck-lilligren
