Charlene Joy Roberts

Charlene “Char” Joy Courteau Roberts was born on July 30, 1935 in Minneapolis Minnesota. At the age of 10months, she was placed in the arms of Doris and Jordan Courteau who became her forever family through the blessing of adoption. In November 1938, the adoption became official and was joined by a sister Mary and brother Douglas.

Charlene attended an all-girls Catholic school in MN, where she developed lifelong friendships that were still strong 60 years after their time together in school. The ladies had a reunion every year that Char looked forward to attending.

Charlene graduated from school in 1953 and soon met the love of her life, Donald Lee Roberts. Don was serving in the US Army and was stationed in Germany shortly after meeting. Their love continued to grow and long distance didn’t dare come between them; in a time when hand written love letters were considered the norm, Don & Char shared the most romantic of relationships despite the distance. By 1957 Don had proposed to Char and the two were married on July 12, 1958; they spent their honeymoon on the rifle range of Fort Mead Maryland as Char used to jest, as Don was finishing his training. The Army would take Don & Char from Maryland to Hawaii, South Carolina, Washington, Okinowa Japan, Maryland and finally Colorado.

Over the years, their family grew and they were blessed with four beautiful children: David Lee, Christine Joy, Nancy Lee and Michael Jordan.

Being an “Army Wife” was no easy task, let alone raising 4 children while maintaining a household required super powers and that is exactly what she had – super powers! Char had a way of giving everyone around her the time and attention they needed, whether it was helping to watch the neighborhood children, baking an extra dish for a new neighbor or offering a ride so that they could attend a special function; Char had the ability to stretch a quarter into a dollar and make each person feel important.

Charlene became an active member in the Boy Scouts of America in the early 1970s, beginning as a Den Mother and eventually moving up in the ranks until her retirement in 1986 as an Executive Secretary; she was actively involved in all things Boy Scouts. She became the first woman to earn the Silver Beaver award in 1981 and her Wood Badge in 1982; she also had the opportunity to attend the National Jamboree in 19XX. Charlene knew the value & importance of her leadership roles in the BSA – she knew she had the ability to impact generations upon generations of young men.

In 1993, Char learned that she had an even larger family than ever imagined – she was reunited with her biological family, including her sister (Rita) and two brothers (Mel and Fred) and all of their families. Her yearly trips to Minnesota soon included visiting her new found, yet old hearts family and their relationships grew deeply.

Char enjoyed her books, always having at least one in her purse and her car – to say she always had a book with her wouldn’t be an understatement. She collected elephants, bears and books. Her love of Fenton bears led her to a healthy obsession with Fenton glass and the privilege of meeting the president of the Fenton Glass Company on one of her many excursions. Char loved hockey, being an avid Avalanche fan, she was sure to never miss a game. She was sure to always send a card for each occasion, and had a window cling for every season.

Charlene was a beautiful person and touched many lives with her simple beauty and desire to make each person know they were important and special, despite their circumstances. Tough as nails, sweet as candy, honest, loving, courageous, proud, giving, classy and warm…the list could go on and on to describe Charlene.

Charlene was delivered to heaven on June 3, 2018 being reunited with the love of her life Don Roberts, after enduring the devastating effects of Dementia with grace and courage.

Charlene is survived by her daughters Nancy Lee Watkins and Chris Volner and son Michael Roberts; 5 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. Charlene is preceded in death by….Her husband Donald Lee Roberts and her oldest son, David Lee.