Charlie Van Pawelk passed peacefully in the arms of his mom and dad on July 31, 2021. He was born at 4:16 a.m. at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital and moments later he was safe in the arms of Jesus.

Charlie was diagnosed with a rare and fatal condition early on in pregnancy. The family was told he could pass in the weeks following his diagnosis, but by the grace of God, Charlie had continued to fight and grow. At the gestational age of 36 weeks and 3 days Charlie was born and lived long enough to be held by his mom and dad and showed them his beautiful eyes before peacefully closing them to join his creator in Heaven. Charlie will always be remembered for his strength and ability to fight for life no matter the obstacles or what the outcome may be. In the brief time spent with him, Charlie’s mom and dad will never forget the touch of skin, the softness of his super gorgeous hair, and his precious tiny features from his button shaped nose to his long skinny toes.

Charlie is the son of Jesse and Karilyn Pawelk. He was preceded in death by his great grandparents Orville and Bonnie Pawelk and Gerald and Maryann Nichols. He is survived by his three siblings Jackson, Leo and Winslett; his grandparents David Pawelk, Scott Nichols, and Debbie Nichols; great grandparents Edward and Janet Bressler, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family.

Memorial services were held at Peace Lutheran Church in Watertown, Minnesota on Sunday August 8^th, 2021. Service began at 4 p.m. with a meal to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Charlie Pawelk can be directed to The Lily Grace Fund for Perinatal Palliative Care 22542 at University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF). The Lily Grace Fund provides access for families to critically needed perinatal palliative care resources. Please follow the link to donate. https://crowdfund.umn.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.personalCampaign&participantID=1274