Perham businessman Charles Minge killed by train

Updated: January 14, 2008 - 9:36 PM

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A well-known businessman in western Minnesota is dead after he apparently dodged controls at a railroad crossing and was struck by a train, according to the Becker County sheriff.

Charles Minge, 62, of Perham, was killed Saturday afternoon just west of Lake Park when he "went under or around" the track's crossing arms "trying to beat the train" and was hit by the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe train, said Sheriff Tim Gordon.

Minge, who was born in Shakopee and lived in Jordan, Minn., as a child, was alone in his pickup at the time, and road and visibility conditions were fine, Gordon said.

Starting in 1973, Minge owned various dining and lodging establishments in western Minnesota, including the Otter Supper Club and Motel, the Butcher the Baker Family Restaurant, the Cactus Gardens Supper Club and a host of others.

He built the Corral and brought various national acts to the Perham area including the Judds, the Statler Brothers, the Count Basie Orchestra and Boxcar Willie.

More recently, Minge and his wife, Brenda, bought the Palace Cafe in Frazee, remodeled and renamed it the Cedar Inn Cafe. After a fire on Dec. 26, 2001, caused by a faulty water heater installation, the Cedar Inn was lost.

Next for the couple was the Cactus. They then began building a 74-unit Park Model Community and Resort. Construction was about two weeks from completion when on Dec. 24, a fire destroyed the entire complex. That fire is under investigation, the Fargo Forum reported.

The Forum also reported that five years ago, fire claimed two restaurants of his in Frazee, Minn. Twenty years ago, his home was lost to fire, when a battery charge ignited a blaze.

Visitation is scheduled for 4 to 8 p.m. today at Calvary Lutheran Church in Perham, with funeral services at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

PAUL WALSH