Charles "Chuck" William Bystrom

Charles (Chuck) William Bystrom, respected businessman and adored husband, father, grandfather, and friend was called home to God and reunited with family on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Born May 7, 1954 in Baudette, Minnesota to father, Merle Bystrom and mother, Tillian (Martinson) Bystrom, Charles had an adventurous childhood in Cook, Minnesota surrounded by the lakes and rivers of the Laurentian Shield. Chuck was passionate about the outdoors and treasured time spent with his family at their cabin near Trout Lake Portage. He could always be counted-on for adventures with his sister and cousins, riding his beloved horse, Rex. From a young age, Chuck was known for his strong work ethic as a dock boy at Pehrson's Lodge on Lake Vermilion and as a gas station attendant at the Midland Co-op gas station in Cook. He graduated from Cook High School in 1972. Chuck started his career at US Steel Minntac the following fall. Chuck met the love of his life and wife of almost 50 years, LeeAnn Rinerson, in 1972. They were married on August 17, 1974. Chuck and LeeAnn embarked upon their careers in entrepreneurship with the purchase of Spring Bay Resort on the Cook end of Lake Vermilion in 1982, all while Chuck continued his career at Minntac. In 1985, Chuck started Spring Bay Floating Lodge, Inc. with his brother-in-law Gale Rinerson, purchasing three new houseboats. In the spring of 1986, Chuck and LeeAnn sold the resort and moved the houseboat corporation to the Tower end of Lake Vermilion with the purchase of Vermilion Houseboats. Gale Rinerson sold his stock in the corporation in the fall of 1988. Chuck continued the houseboat business, along with LeeAnn. He expanded the business by renting snowmobiles and personal watercraft. Chuck retired from Minntac in the spring of 2003 to just have one job, running Vermilion Houseboats. Putting in 31 years at both US Steel and Vermilion Houseboats, he was able to fully retire when Chuck and LeeAnn sold Vermilion Houseboats in May, 2017, to finally enjoy a summer of camping with his wife, daughters, grandson, and son-in-law in the woods overlooking Lake Vermilion. Chuck loved to go out west snowmobiling in the mountains with his friends. He enjoyed cars, boats, rigs, trains, and airplanes and a special passion for Corvettes. He was a handy-man and jack-of-all-trades, with knowledge of mechanics, electrical work, and carpentry. He was a master griller, known for his delicious grilled and smoked food. Chuck was a sweet and devoted father. He would do anything for his girls, creating many fond memories of family vacations out west and to Florida. Chuck always made time for trips to the hunting shack, plowing skating rinks, and cherished snowmobile, boat, and four-wheeler rides. He was a loving Grandfather, who doted on his grandsons, from campfires to rides in the Ranger. Chuck loved instilling a joy for the outdoors in his grandsons. He was a revered leader who created life-long connections with those who worked for him.. He would do anything for them, and they would do anything for him.

Chuck is survived by his wife LeeAnn, daughters Ashley (Peder) Aarness, Katelyn Bystrom, Rebecca (Tyler) McMillen, grandsons Jase Ziglinski and Nolan McMillen, along with nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Merle, mother Tillian, and sister Pamela Amundson.

Chuck will be dearly missed, but his memory and legacy will live on through his loved ones, including his Vermilion Houseboats family. Chuck’s remarkable life will be honored according to his wishes with a private service among immediate family.

Family services provided by Bauman-Vermlion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower. To share condolences online, please visit: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

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