Charles and Norma Wilson Tribute

CHARLES & NORMA WILSON TRIBUTE

Zimmer also expressed, on behalf of the YMCA, the association’s appreciation for the Wilson’s friendship and support. The Wilsons were key contributors to the construction of the Montgomery County Family YMCA with a very aggressive capital campaign program in 1997-1999 to construct, equip, and establish an endowment fund program for a $6.6 million dollar project and open a 34,000 square foot YMCA in October, 2000. Then in 2000-2001 the YMCA raised another $1.4 million dollars to construct and equip the “Carder Indoor Tennis Center” (four indoor tennis court facilities).

Charles Wilson was born Feb 5, 1919, raised in Red Oak attended Red Oak schools, graduated with the class of 1936 and attended Junior College in Red Oak for one year. He attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa where he received an Engineering degree in June of 1941. Charles was married to Norma Larsen on June 29, 1941. He died April 15, 2013, at the age of 94 years.

After graduating from I.S.U., he entered his family’s small manufacturing company which produced concrete culverts and various products for road work in Montgomery County. The company had 6 to 8 employees at that time.

World War II was on the horizon and Charles entered the service and trained as an engineer on the B-29 Bomber Gun-Sight Control System, serving as a Staff Sergeant in the South Pacific until his honorable discharge in 1946.

After returning home from the service, Charles became a foreman at Wilson Concrete Co. In 1950, he became President and CEO and began expanding the concrete business into the Council Bluffs and Omaha areas in the structural and architectural precast industry.

Concrete products were in demand for the post-war reconstruction, and Wilson Concrete began serving contractors and architects in four Midwestern states. The company produced all sizes of concrete pipe and building components for roads, bridges, railroads, parking structures, hospitals, ballpark stadiums, etc. Wilson Concrete eventually had manufacturing plants in four Midwestern states. 

When Charles sold the company at age 81, Wilson Concrete had grown to over 700 employees which included many long-standing engineers, managers, office staff, and manufacturing staff. He was founder of Oakview Construction Co., headquartered in Red Oak. He was currently President of Gold Key Homes & Centennial Properties, developer of homes and commercial sites, including the Red Coach Inn and Restaurant.

Charles was active in community and economic affairs in the Red Oak area serving on the Industrial and Contact Committee promoting Red Oak and helping acquire industry for our area. Charles and his wife Norma have been awarded the Chamber of Commerce “Spirit of Red Oak Award”, honored as Red Oak Schools Homecoming Grand Marshals, and Red Oak Junction Days Grand Marshals. He helped in the development of the YMCA, Montgomery County History Center, the renovation of the Red Oak Public Library, High School Technology center, and the Wilson Performing Arts Center. He was a past President of the Red Oak Country Club, and it was in this tenure that a major renovation was developed and completed. He was a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church, serving as deacon and other positions. Charles was involved with many organizations including  the Boy Scouts, Masons and the Elks. Charles was greatly appreciated  by each of these organizations along with the many other’s that he was involved with in making for better society to live, work and play for people of all ages and backgrounds.   

Norma Wilson was born July 19, 1920 on the family farm in Buena Vista County, Iowa and died on Wednesday, October 8^th, 2014, at the age of 94 years.

Norma attended Iowa State University where she met Charles.  They were both active members of the Baptist Student Center at the University. Norma and Charles established their home in Red Oak where her new husband started his career in the family owned Wilson Concrete Company manufacturing firm. Norma saw her young husband answer the call to military service during World War II and return to a small home in Red Oak in 1946 to continue their busy lives, including raising their daughter and two sons.

Norma was a member of the First Baptist Church where she held many offices, including Chairman of the Trustee Board. She was a member of PEO Sisterhood Chapter HB and served on the Red Oak Public Library Board. Norma served on the planning and construction of the Wilson Performing Arts Center, The Montgomery County History Center, Montgomery County Family YMCA, and the Red Coach Inn. She was a past President of the former Federated Women’s Club, and past board member of the Red Oak Heritage Foundation.

The Wilsons’ were dedicated volunteers to the YMCA, and served on the Capital Campaign committees (Charles & Norma), Facility & Design committee (Charles & Norma), and Endowment committee (Charles). They were both annual campaign supporters of the YMCA that helped provide financial assistance to individuals in need of YMCA memberships or program services. Through their support and that of several hundred other donors, the YMCA has been able to honor its 20 year policy that “No One Is Denied”. The Wilsons supported many facility enhancements to secure funds to plan for long term maintenance needs of the YMCA. The Wilsons supported many facility enhancements and to help secure funds for long term maintenance needs. This program has been established as “Our Future Is In Your Hands”. They were instrumental in assisting to create matching funds that were raised by YMCA volunteers. The Wilsons were proud to create new community leaders by having capital projects and the endowment throughout the YMCA which created opportunities for new volunteers throughout the community and area. They were members of the Montgomery County Family YMCA since its inception 20 years ago before  the full facility was opened in 2000 and enjoyed seeing the YMCA being used by so many youth in so many programs.

To learn more about how one can make any size of gift through estate planning or other charitable contributions to the Montgomery County Family YMCA, contact Executive Director Nick Zimmer at (712) 623-2161 ext.13, by e-mail at execdir@mcymca.com, or visit the YMCA at 101 East Cherry Street, Red Oak, IA.
(Special thank-you to contributor writers, editors & assistance related to the tribute to Charles & Norma Wilson: Vern Olson, Anne Stewart, Randy Orme, John Blomstedt,Nancy Zimmer, Bob & Pam Wilson, Randall Wilson, Samantha Hansen & Sellergen-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home, Red Oak, IA).