Charlene Tolhurst, age 85, died Monday, April 14.
Born Dec. 29, 1939, she was a lady of many talents. She played accordion and organ; cut loved ones’ hair; made pine cone wreaths; cooked and baked very well. She oil painted beautifully. Most of all, she sewed flawlessly!
She took great pride in things she created! She made everything from purses, stuffed animals, doll clothes to wedding dresses. Most of the time she gave these away as gifts.
She also loved a good garage sale and would be so excited to share her treasures with family.
Charlene was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Visitation Church. She worked at dinners until her health wouldn’t allow. As a young mother, she created a junior choir with the children of the parish, teaching them timing and harmonizing.
She worked many years at Columbian Storage and Transfer in data entry and spent hours on the phone assisting customers with their shipments. She was well respected and made many friends around the United States.
Charlene married Ed in 2001. For several years, they owned a place in Sandy Pines.
She is survived by husband, Ed Tolhurst; sisters Theresa (Gerald) Williams and Doris Andres; many nieces and nephews; best friend, Kate Britton; children Kevin (Marclyn) Navis and Denise Price; grandchildren and great-grandchildren Julie Harnish (Nick), Malachi and Noah; Alan (Lauren) Navis, Hannah and Cole; Adam Navis (Kaylina) Nora, Huxley and Elise;Heather (Jesse) Aubrey and Cameron; Nick (Katy) Price, Matt, Nolan and Levi; and Derrick Price; stepchildren Tammy Bergmans, Ed (Renee) Tolhurst, and Kathy (Pat) Cain; and step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by Henry Weber, Jr.; mother, Anna Mary (Emma Wolf) Weber; brothers Jerome (Irma), Sylvester (Frances), and Ivan Weber; sisters Rosena (Nelson) O’Connor, Geneva (Neal) Ritsema, Gertrude (Frank) Taylor; and brother-in-law, Ron Andres.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home, 4330 18th St., Dorr. A Rosary will take place at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 24, at St. Mary’s Visitation Catholic Church, 2459 146th Ave., Byron Center.
In lieu of flowers and in memory of Charlene, contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Visitation Stained Glass Windows Fund.
