Reinert “Chunk” Levik

Reinert “Chunk” Levik Jr., 93, passed away Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Funeral Services for “Chunk” were held on Tuesday, March 18, at the United Methodist Church in Buffalo Center. Burial was held in Graceland Cemetery in Buffalo Center.

Chunk was the son of Reinert and Mary (Krametbauer) Levik. He was born on October 1, 1931, on a farm near Truman, Minnesota. He had two half-brothers, Victor Darilek and George Darilek and three half-sisters, Elenora Allerkamp, Gladys Carpenter, and Doris Meyer.

When Chunk was a young child, the family moved to Louisiana and later to Alpha, Minnesota, where Chunk attended grade school and worked in the family gas station and garage. He enjoyed the Boy Scouts and fishing. He attended high school in Jackson, Minnesota.

While driving around Sherburn, Minnesota, with a friend, Chunk met Rose Folz, who was riding around with her sister. They were married on October 8, 1949, and were blessed with 75 years of marriage and one daughter, Linda. The family enjoyed many trips traveling throughout the United States and Canada. Chunk and Rose also traveled to Norway where they met Chunk’s many relatives. They also had an extended trip traveling mainland Europe.

Chunk was known for his ability to fix almost anything, which probably was first noticed when he was working in the family gas station and garage. Chunk also worked in the copper mines in Miami, Arizona, where he was made a foreman at the age of 17. In the fall of 1949, Chunk started working for Interstate Power Company as a lineman and later as area manager. Chunk worked with Interstate Power Company for 44 years, during which time he only missed four days of work.  He retired in 1993.

People seemed to admire Chunk. He was always willing to lend a hand to a friend or stranger. He loved kids, and kids seemed to love him. Chunk was especially fond of Rose’s extended family, and he spent many hours in their company. Family gatherings usually saw Chunk at the head of the line when meals were being served. He never offended a cook. He will miss them dearly.

Chunk felt truly blessed to be a large part of the lives of his grandsons, Jonathan, Andrew, and Ryan. As well as the lives of his older great grandkids Jackson, Isla, Simon, and Fiona. The back door to his house was always open for all of them, and they all hold Chunk dear in their hearts. Needless to say, the three youngest great grandkids greatly lifted Chunk’s spirit the last couple of years when they visited him at the Timely Mission Nursing Home.

Throughout his lifetime, Chunk was an avid fisherman. He truly enjoyed his time spent fishing many rivers and lakes but especially the Missouri river in South Dakota and Lake of the Woods, Ontario. However, his favorite fishing experience was the several wilderness fishing trips that he made in the late 1980s and early 1990s with his son-in-law, Rick Potter, to Little Bear Head Lake, Manitoba. They would traverse around 120 miles of lakes and rivers using a compass and handheld map. There were no resorts, no docks, and usually during these two-week fishing trips they would see no one else once they were on the water. They would catch 200 or more northerns and walleyes each day with several of the northerns in the 20+ pound class. He was very fortunate to have many fishing buddies over the years, with a special shout out to Curt, Todd, and Marlyn.

Chunk was very community minded. He spent 22 years on the Buffalo Center city council as well as eight years as city mayor. He also spent over 50 years in the Community Club, 37 years as a Lions Club member, taught first aid for 24 years, Volunteer Ambulance member for 20 years, Volunteer fireman for 13 years, nine years on the Centennial Committee and After Centennial Committee, over 60 years with the United Methodist Church, and delivered meals on wheels for many years. In 1992, he was honored with the Hometown Hero Award, and in 2003 he was honored with Giving Your Best Award.

Chunk is survived by his wife, Rose; daughter, Linda and her husband, Rick; three grandsons, Jonathan Potter and his wife Carrie, Andrew Potter and his wife, Sarah, and Ryan Potter and his wife, Katherine. He is also survived by seven great grandchildren, Jackson Potter, Isla Potter, Simon Potter, Fiona Potter, Liam Potter, Griffin Potter, and Juliette Potter; and a special nephew Raymond Carpenter. He was preceded in death by his parents and half-siblings.

Online condolences may be made to oakcrestfuneralservices.com.