Charles Bernie Top

Charles “Chuck” Bernie Top was born on December 4, 1941, to John and Johanna (Oldenkamp) Top in Rock County, MN. He was raised on the family farm between Beaver Creek and Hills. Chuck attended the Hills Christian School through 8th grade and then attended and graduated from HBC. He graduated from barber college in Minneapolis and worked as a barber in Mountain Lake, MN. He married Mary Ann Jansma on October 9, 1962, at the Steen Reformed Church. A year later they moved to Edgerton, MN, where he purchased Wally Bouma’s barbershop and renamed it “Charlie’s Barbershop.”

Chuck and Mary were blessed with four children and raised them all in Edgerton. They include Debra Joy, Lisa Jo, Charles Jon, and Amy Jill. Chuck continued barbering until 1970 when he and brother Al opened Top Livestock Auction. The brothers handled area farm sales for decades and “cried” many Christian school auction sales. 

Chuck was a lifelong member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton, MN, and was always a willing servant. Dad loved his children deeply, attending all their events through the years. He especially loved sports. In fact, he donated his time for over 25 years keeping the books for all home basketball games and was very proud that he was granted a lifelong pass into all home games. He was an avid Twins and Vikings fan.

Chuck was very relational and formed strong friendships through the years. He and Mary enjoyed trips with the “Cycle Gang” all over the U.S. This particular group of friends loved a good prank. One involved a goat that somehow found its way into the bathroom of the salebarn. Chuck was a regular at the round table in the Leader Cafe and later loved going to the Tally Ho. Chuck also loved to fish and often summer holidays were spent at various lakes. 

Chuck passed away at Sanford Medical Center, Sioux Falls, SD, at the age of 84 where he was surrounded by his beloved girls.

Chuck is survived by three daughters, Deb Top of Munster, IN, Lisa (Verlyn) Nykamp of Sioux Falls, SD, and Amy (Tom) Otten of Dakota Dunes, SD.; 7 grandchildren, Madeline Nykamp (Sunil Tulpule) of Phoenix, AZ, Emma Nykamp of Minneapolis, MN, Caitlin Lawson of Los Angeles, CA, Samuel Otten of Iowa City, IA, Eli Otten of Brookings, SD, Anna and Ella Otten both of Dakota Dunes, SD, 1 great granddaughter, Devi Catherine Tulpule of Phoenix, AZ; two sisters, Audrey (Jim) Vis of Sioux Falls, SD, Netta Berghorst of Sioux Falls, SD; two brothers, Larry (Mel) Top of Edgerton, MN, John (Evonne) Top of Luverne, MN, sister-in-law, Marlene Top of Edgerton, MN, brother-in-law, Norm Vis of Valley Springs, SD, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Chuck Top, Jr., in 2024, his parents, John and Johanna Top, stepfather, Gerrit Pap, brother, Al Top, Sr., sisters Joanne Klarenbeek and Judy Vis, brothers-in-law John Klarenbeek and Keith Berghorst, nephew Al Top, Jr., and niece, Heather Berghorst.

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