Charlotte English (Knutson), age 91 of Fennimore, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2014 at the Good Samaritan Society in Fennimore, Wisconsin. Charlotte was born on June 29, 1923 in Wolf Hollow, near Livingston, Wisconsin, the first of seven children of Gilbert and Anita (Gundlach) Knutson. From an early age Charlotte had an infectious sense of play, probably inherited from her father, a known prankster. From her mother Charlotte learned the skills of cooking and canning. Her lefsa, dill pickles and sweet rolls were revered by several generations. Being the oldest of seven, she also learned a thing or two about child raising, and did a fine job with her two sons, Marc (Angela) of Bluemont, Virginia and Brent (Debra) of Barneveld, Wisconsin.
Charlotte married Almon “Ike” English on August 6, 1945, the day the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. The couple lived in Chicago and Livingston for a while before moving to Veteran’s housing in Fennimore in the 1950’s. In 1959 they were able to purchase their own home in Fennimore on a GI loan and that is where Charlotte lived the rest of her adult life before moving to the Good Samaritan center nine years ago.
Charlotte worked a variety of jobs to help support her growing family, finally retiring from the Fennimore’s Ray-O-Vac facility where she was a founding member of the bowling team. She bowled well into her 70’s, keeping a high average and seldom missing a game.
Charlotte and Ike never missed a summer “up north” fishing on the Minong Flowage, often in the company of their children and grandchildren. The couple also took numerous trips around the country and any given week off might find them in Montana or New Mexico. After Ike’s passing in 1993 Charlotte continued to travel with friends, on bus trips and even took a tour of Norway during her 80th year.
She was an avid crafter and numerous afghans and hand quilted quilts adorn the beds and couches of her children and grandchildren.
The family wants to extend a special thanks to the staff at the Fennimore Good Samaritan Center for their help with Charlotte, especially in her final years.
Charlotte is survived by her two sons Marc and Brent, three granddaughters; Katheryn (Kenyon), Elizabeth, and Abigail, one grandson William, and two great-granddaughters; Skylar and Olivia, siblings; Gene, Madge (Genthe) and Roger as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ike, and siblings Brian “Nip”, Beverly (Wells), and Cecil.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday Sept. 19, 2014 at the Fennimore United Methodist Church with burial to follow in the Rock Church Cemetery in rural Livingston. A visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. on Thursday evening Sept. 18, 2014 at the Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church on Friday morning.