Charlotte Makelky • 1927 - 2011

Charlotte Makelky, 83, Minot, ND, died Saturday, September 17, 2011, at Angel Care Adult Foster Care in Carpio.

Charlotte Louise Starck was born November 11, 1927, at the family farm in rural Judson, ND. She was the middle daughter of three born to Herman and Emma (Jacobson) Starck.

She was raised on the farm, attended country schools, and graduated from Judson High School in 1945. She attended Dickinson State Teachers College, where she obtained her teaching certificate. She taught 2nd grade in the Sweetbriar School District. She later moved to Mandan to work at the Mandan Fruit Company. She then went to work at 1st National Bank in Mandan which has since become Wells Fargo. While working at the bank, she met the love of her life, Leo Makelky. They were married November 15, 1948, at St. Joseph’s Church in Mandan.

In April of 1950, Leo and Charlotte moved to Glendive, MT, where Leo began his career with Montana Dakota Utilities Co. Their son, Mark, was born in Glendive in 1953 at the NP Hospital, where Charlotte had worked as a clerk. After Mark’s birth, Charlotte dedicated herself to being a full-time mother. In 1955, Leo was transferred and the family moved to Minot, ND, where their daughter, Jean, was born in 1958. Minot has been their home since that time.

Charlotte loved to play bridge and have birthday parties with her friends and neighbors.  She also loved the many travels that she and her daughter, Jean, shared together.
           
Charlotte was an excellent seamstress, sewing many dance costumes for Jean as a young girl. Many of the other mothers would copy her pattern for these. She also had an intense interest in North Dakota History and enjoyed reading many books on the subject.
           
In the latter years, she had been cared for at Edgewood Vista and Trinity Homes both in Minot and during the flood of this year she was moved to Deaconness Health Center in Northwood, ND. She most recently received very special care at Angel Care Adult Foster Care Home in Carpio, ND.
           
Surviving family includes:  husband of 62 years, Leo, Minot; her daughter, Jean Fegley and Wayne Knutson, Berthold; son, Mark Makelky and his wife, Joanne, Bismarck; granddaughter, Jennifer Rahr and her husband, Ben, along with Charlotte’s first great-grandson, James, Glendive, MT; granddaughter, Angela Makelky, Littleton, CO; niece, Bette Poppe, Bismarck; nephew, Larry Messmer, WA, and a special nephew, Mike Makelky, and all Makelky nieces and nephews.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Phyllis Knight and Doris Messmer niece, Becky Knight; and nephew, Randy Messmer.

Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, September 21, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot.

Visitation:  There will be no reviewal, but friends and relatives are welcome to stop by the family home at 611 16th Ave. SW, Minot, on Tuesday from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Memorials: are preferred to Salvation Army Flood Relief Fund, the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND, or to Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot.

Service Participants
Father Bruce Krebs - Celebrant of the Liturgies
Leo Schaeffer - Reader
Ben, Jennifer and James Rahr, and Angela Makelky - Gift Bearers

Music
Processional Hymn: “On Eagle’s Wings” #442
Preparation of Gifts Hymn: “Only A Shadow” #451
Communion Hymn: “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman” #707
Commendation: “Song of Farewell” #841
Recessional Hymn: “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” (Insert)
Lisa Jundt, Vocalist/Song Leader
Jeanne Artz, Pianist

Honorary UrnBearers
The Ladies of Charlotte’s Bridge Club

Urn Bearers
The Ladies of Charlotte’s Birthday Club and Coffee Club

Final Resting Place

North Dakota Veterans Cemetery ~ Mandan, North Dakota
Thursday, September 22, 2011 – 11:00 a.m.
Father Paul Becker - Officiant

Immediately following the funeral mass, please join the family for a time of fellowship and lunch in the lower level.
 
Our family would like to thank all of you for your many acts of kindness. Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated during this difficult time. May God bless the memory of Charlotte.

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To view the inside of the insert to Charlotte's folder

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