“Humane Heart”
Words and music by Leonard Running
with Mrs. Garcia’s 5th Grade Class
©2018 Leonard Running
Now the first time I went to my Grandma Char’s house
(It’s a thought that still makes me laugh.)
Six dogs in the kitchen, a skunk on the piano,
And eight baby bunnies in the bath.
Two fawns in the hall and a couple raccoons
And a pigeon with a broken wing.
Now the story’s passed to my fifth grade class
In this little ol’ song that we sing.
Char Krogstad was born where a large crop of corn
Was the thing her family worked to get.
In her days at school she got A’s as a rule;
Every little pig and chicken was a pet.
And even though she could sing and play real good
On piano and accordion –
She chose a life as a mother and wife
As the most important work to be done.
After some decades and the children were raised
Rich and Char came to live out here.
Grand kids were quite a few and there was plenty she could do
With her loving aviator auctioneer.
And the years advance in a beautiful dance
In a story that never ends;
Char plays her part with a humane heart
Taking care of her four-footed friends.
Charlynn Krogstad grew up on a farm near Baltic, South Dakota. She was the youngest of two siblings born to Emma and Harold Alvine. While growing up, her favorite thing to do was play with all of her animals—chickens, cats, pigs, and lots of dogs. Char attended country school in rural Eastern South Dakota where her favorite subject was English. Along with petting furry friends, Char loved music. Not only did she sing, she played piano and accordion along with many other instruments. After graduating from Lyons High School, Mrs. Krogstad was offered a full ride music scholarship to Augustana College in Sioux Falls, which she turned down to fulfill her lifetime goal and dream: being a wife and mother.
Charlynn met Richard Krogstad at a fair in 1956 in Sioux Falls, and the rest is history. Their love story continued for 61 years. Rich and Char had three kids: Lorrie, James, and Daniel, and are blessed with 8 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and another on the way. After raising their family in Eastern South Dakota, Rich and Char made a big move to the Black Hills. One of their dreams came true: building a house on Tinton Road where they have lived for the past 35 years. Rich and Char spent much of their time at auctions, as well as gardening, raising injured animals, and spending innumerable hours high in the sky in Rich’s Funk N77726.
Charlynn Krogstad has held many different working positions including owning an antique shop here in Spearfish. One of Char’s most influential jobs was at the Western Hills Humane Society in Spearfish caring for hundreds of animals. Char devoted countless hours of time and care to four-footed friends not only at the Humane Society, but also at the Black Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. The mayor of Spearfish honored her with the “Spirit of Spearfish” award on the day she retired from her service with the Humane Society. Char’s passion for music has been evident through her entire life. She plays guitar, accordion, piano, and the zither, and can turn just about anything into a percussion device. Her strongest instrument was her voice, and she used it frequently at Lutheran Church services along with singing the National Anthem at air shows at Clyde Ice Field in Spearfish.
Char has always lived by the golden rule: “Treat others the way you want to be treated”. Honesty and helpfulness are words that drive her life’s philosophy: “Be Happy”. When asked about things she would change looking back on her life she replied, “Nothing. I’ve lived a good life”. Charlynn Krogstad continues to watch her biggest accomplishment and legacy to this day: raising her family and seeing them happy.