Charles E. “Charlie” Northup, 70, of Axtell, NE died Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Mosaic in Axtell with family
at his side. Mass of Christian burial will be Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with the Rev. Robin Bashir as celebrant. Interment will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, January 5, 2026, from 4 – 6 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with a vigil service at 6 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Mosaic at Axtell. Your thoughts and prayers may be given at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Charles’ obituary. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Charles was born January 4, 1955, in Wray, Colorado, the son of Frederick J. and Donna J. (Alderman) Northup.He spent the first 24 years of his life in the company of his parents and siblings. In 1980, Charles moved to Mosaic (formerly Bethphage Mission) in Axtell. The Mosaic staff and community became Charles’ second family. They loved him as their own, and we are forever indebted to them for their continuous care, love, and affection.

Charles was very affectionate and loving, and was known for giving big bear hugs, even if you didn’t want one.  He didn’t have a mean bone in his body, but was quite ornery. His eyes twinkled with mischief whenever he did something that he knew would get a reaction from the recipient. His laugh was infectious and the perfect complement to his persistent smile. He had a large appetite. It was necessary to guard your plate because Charles was always looking for the chance to grab another person’s food. Some of Charles’ greatest joys were kittens, balloons, bubbles, going out for ice cream, watching fireworks, and looking out the window. His favorite show was “The Three Stooges”, and he enjoyed laughing at their funny antics. He was a man of few words but was a great judge of character and truly a blessing to our family. Having Charles in our lives taught us compassion, patience, kindness, and affection.

Those left to cherish his memory are his mother, Donna Northup, of Grand Island, NE; his siblings, Donna Grimes of Central City, NE; Joe Northup of Lincoln, NE; Susan (Brent) Ahrens of Lincoln, NE; Anne (Frank) Riebschlager of Grand Island, NE; Bill (Karen) Northup of St. Paul, NE; Tom (Pam) Northup of Grand Island, NE;Mike Northup of Grand Island, NE; and Kathy (Jim) Muhlbach of Grand Island, NE; numerous nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews; and his other family, the staff and residents of Mosaic. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Northup, a niece, Angeline Muhlbach, two great nephews,Matthew Ahrens and Benjamin Lindner, and a brother-in-law, Ron Grimes.