Obituary of Charlotte Lackender

           Charlotte Yoder Lackender, 93, of Kalona, Iowa, passed away Saturday, July 28, 2018 at Pleasantview Nursing Home in Kalona. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, August 4 at 10:30 AM at Sharon Center United Methodist Church, where Charlotte was an active member. Visitation will be Friday, August 3 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the church.

            Charlotte Yoder was born on November 26,1924 in rural Sharon Center, Iowa, daughter of Omar R. and Emma C. (Petsel) Yoder. She graduated from Sharon Center High School in 1943, and attended Business School in Iowa City, Iowa. She then went to work as a secretary for the Eldon Miller Trucking Company.

            Charlotte married Russell Lackender on August 16, 1947. They had 4 children, Douglas, Joan, Janet and Dennis. Charlotte farmed with her husband Russell in addition to being a homemaker. After the children were grown she held jobs at Iowa Land Realty in Coralville, Mr. Ed’s in Kalona, and Jackson’s Gifts in Iowa City. Following her retirement she worked at the Kalona Historical Society in Kalona as a tour guide. She was active in the United Methodist Women, Johnson County Women’s Club and Eastern Star chapter in Sharon Center.

            Charlotte was a force of nature. She loved family dinners, bike rides, and canoe trips that brought her loved ones together. She felt especially blessed by her family. She thoroughly enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also prized all of her many nieces and nephews and their children with whom she was active up to the end of her days. She belonged to a neighborhood card club during her married life and was the last living member of that group. At Pleasantview she belonged to several card groups.

            In her later life, after Russell died, she found a cherished companion in Tessie, her Papillon pooch. Tessie passed away unexpectedly 6 days before Charlotte. 

            Charlotte made many friends at Pleasantview, where she lived for more than 18 years in her cottage there. Her family wishes to thank all the staff at Pleasantview whose work, each and every day, blesses the lives of those they serve. They also wish to thank Iowa City Hospice for their care of Charlotte in her last days.

            She is preceded in death by her husband, Russell, their daughter Joan, and by three brothers and two sisters. She is survived by three children, Douglas Lackender and his wife Jo of rural Iowa City, Janet Wilson and her husband Mark of rural Iowa City, Dennis Lackender and his wife Jeanette of rural Washington. She is also survived by son-in-law Jack Harshberger of Durango, Colorado, 16 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren (with number 19 on the way) and by one brother, Alan Yoder and his wife Esther of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

            Charlotte was a sparkle in the life of all that she touched. We will recall her brightness whenever we greet a friend, old or new, whenever we see the sky full of twinkling stars, and whenever we watch the fireflies rise from the prairie on a warm summer night.

            In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sharon Center United Methodist Church, Pleasantview Home, or Iowa City Hospice. To share a thought, memory or condolence with her family please visit the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com.