MILLER, SD – Charles L. “Chuck” Hargens, 90, of Miller, passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller.

Graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Howell Cemetery, rural Miller. A visitation with family present will take place from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Reck Funeral Home in Miller.

Chuck was born on October 14, 1935, to Bessie (Snyder) and George Hargens in Miller, SD. He was one of 10 children. He resided on the farm 15 miles north of Miller in his 90 blessed years. He married Joyce Neuharth from the Wolsey, SD area on April 6, 1958, in Wolsey, SD. Three children were born from their marriage: Lorna, Jason, and Roger. There are six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Chuck spent his years on the farm raising crops and livestock (sheep and cattle). He later retired from farming and worked at the Hand County Implement dealership in Miller, SD, until he fully retired. After that, he built land levelers and worked on small motors at the farm until he found refuge in the recliner watching TV, relaxing while enjoying other activities on the farm.

Chuck was a boxer in his early years, winning several trophies of which he was extremely proud, SF Golden Gloves State Champion 1952 Bantam Weight and State Amateur Boxing Champion 1952: 112#. He was also in the active Air National Guard.

The family attended St Michael’s Church and Orient Lutheran Church.

During his family years on the farm, he enjoyed pheasant and deer hunting. For many years, they had pheasant hunters, which the whole family enjoyed. Chuck often went to the Miller car races, and the kids went along. He also enjoyed car racing on TV. The whole family went to the Indianapolis 500 race in 1973, which included a trip to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

Chuck played pool at his home after he bought a pool table for the basement. This was later beautifully restored by his grandson, Derrick. He went to occasional pool tournaments as well. He enjoyed playing poker, and often there were card games at Bessie’s house north of Miller AKA “the card house.”

The family enjoyed fishing and camping trips to the Missouri River. We had fun fishing together while mom read magazines in the boat or watched the grandkids on the shore. When salmon were stocked in the waters, a whole new kind of fishing started happening with downriggers and big lures.

He enjoyed country western music, and his favorite was George Jones. He sported many George Jones shirts at Good Samaritan instead of his white t-shirt, which he always wore at the farm. His favorite hat was a George Jones hat that he wore in the nursing home, alternating with his John Deere hat. In true George Jones style, when Chuck’s knees got bad, he rode the lawn mower around the farm and even had a John Deere trailer. He planted a garden with tomatoes, watermelons, and some kind of huge squash that were never identified since he got the seeds from someone else. Efforts continue to locate more of those seeds.

In his later years, watching TV was his favorite pastime, accompanied by his cats, including lots of napping. Watching bull riding, boxing, and even cartoons helped him pass the time.

After the death of his wife, Joyce, he stayed on the farm several years until he moved to the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Miller, where he lived for the past 2 ½ years.

Chuck’s memory will be cherished by his children, Lorna ( Ron) Kosola from Gillette, Wyoming, Jason (Peggy) Hargens from Miller, and Roger Hargens from Miller; grandchildren and great grandchildren: Derrick (Mandy) McKown and children: Alivia and Kaylee; Brandon (Doni) McKown and children: Nathaniel, Oliver, Alexander and Barrett; Clayton Slunecka and son, Ethan Ray; Tigh Slunecka; Matthew Slunecka; and Ethan Hargens and son, Grayson; his brothers; Richard Hargens, and Raymond (Linda) Hargens; sister-in-law, Carolyn Hargens; plus many family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bessie and George; brothers: George (Lois), Edward “Deacon,” (Charlene) Marvin (Donna), and Lester; sisters: Eileen “Lena” (Herb) Stender, Hazel “Skeeter” (Charles) Clement, and Mable (Sheldon) Holt.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Chuck’s arrangements. Visit www.luceluzereck.com

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