Graunke (Neisen)

Charlotte F. of Cannon Falls, formerly of Delano, passed away peacefully on August 24 at the age of 84. Preceded in death by her parents, Mathias J. and Frances (Gonsior) Neisen and daughter-in-law, Sandra (Goodman) Graunke. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Willard; children David, Daniel (Mary Jo), Dale (Lynn), Jennifer (Michael) Griffith; grandchildren Daniel, Nicki (Rob), Alexis, Darrick, Jaime (Joe), Nicholas, Sean (Tara); great grandchildren, Logan, Caden, Lily, Noah, Tyler, Evan, Savannah and Maci; brother Eugene (Betty) Neisen; many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law and nieces and nephews.

Charlotte graduated from Delano High School in 1945 and worked at Marquette Bank and The Maple Plain Company. She and Willard raised their family in Delano, retired in Detroit Lakes and moved back to Cannon Falls to be close to family.

Everyone fell in love with Char the minute they met her, and they would say it was because she was so easy to love. She had a way of making everyone feel like they were the most important person on the face of the earth. Her infectious smile, laughter and gift of conversation will forever live in our memories. Char”s love for her family and friends was unconditional and will be everlasting.

Char poured her heart and her soul into making her home a place of happiness. She loved to bake goodies as gifts for her family and was famous for her fried chicken and potato salad. She also loved endless phone conversation, playing scrabble, gardening, embroidering, baking, fishing, singing and dancing. She embraced every event as a magnificent adventure!

A special thank you to the staff at The View for their love and care for Char.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, August 31, 2012 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Delano, Minnesota.