Charlene Lydia (Baessler) JAMES

JAMES, BAESSLER, SIEGELE, BREITBACH, MARTIN, WIEHE, HUCKINS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/6/2008 at 11:23:54

June 16, 2008
Fort Dodge Messenger, Iowa

HARDY, IA — Charlene James, age 80, of Hardy, died on Thursday, June 12, 2008, at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. today at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Renwick, with L. J. Noel officiating. Burial will be in Vernon Cemetery. The Wilson-Lentz Funeral Home in Livermore is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church or the Renwick Public Library.

Charlene Lydia Baessler, the daughter of Karl and Bertha (Siegele) Baessler, was born on February 4, 1928, in Livermore, Iowa. She graduated from Livermore High School in 1945 and attended Wartburg College. Charlene was united in marriage with Dean Avery James on June 22, 1947, in Livermore. In the early years of their marriage, Dean and Charlene lived in Iowa City while Dean completed his education degree. After moving to Hardy in 1953, they owned James Sundries Drug Store in Renwick, and became involved in many school activities. Whether it was in the schools where Dean taught—Thor, Renwick, Burt, LuVerne—or Boone Valley where their kids attended, Dean and Charlene could always be found in the bleachers at sporting and music events. Charlene was a devoted volunteer for the Bobcat Boosters, Music Boosters, and served on the Boone Valley PTA. After the children were grown, Charlene went back to school and became a certified LPN. She also worked as postmistress in Hardy, and was primary caregiver for her father until his death at age 106. Charlene volunteered her time to many organizations including, Red Cross, Food Pantry, Republican Party, Humboldt Hospital Auxiliary, Renwick American Legion Auxiliary, Renwick Public Library and the Renwick Community Choir. She belonged to the Cosmo Club, T4U, Martha Circle, Oak Ridge Golf Club, Red Hat Society and many bridge clubs. Charlene held offices with the Oak Ridge Board, St. Paul Lutheran Church Board and Women’s Church Council. She was always willing and ready to be there for anyone who needed help. Charlene was an avid sports fan, following the Iowa Hawkeyes in all sports. She very much enjoyed traveling, especially to historic sites, and watching her grandchildren’s activities. She was a master bridge player and voracious reader. One of her greatest triumphs was completing the New York Times crossword puzzle—on SUNDAY! She loved public speaking and story telling. This great lady was a mother to everyone’s children, a willing participant in fun times, and a friend to all. She will be missed by those whose lives were touched by her generous, loving spirit.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Julie Breitbach and her husband Joe of Waverly; daughter-in-law, Chris James of Greensboro, NC; Paul James and his wife Melissa of Vancouver, WA; Doug James of Hardy and his friend Shelly Martin of Otho; and Neal James and his wife Molly of Swisher; and her grandchildren: Jamie and Matt Wiehe of Scottsdale, AZ; Jeremy James of Iowa City; Andrew Huckins of Graham, NC; Jennifer Huckins of Jamestown, NC; Jay and Jenny Breitbach of Waverly; Austin and Waverly James of Vancouver, WA; and Lydia and Mason James in Swisher. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Dean; a son, Dr. William K. James; and a brother, W. Keith Baessler.