Charline Dickey Nilsen, 88, passed away October 28 under hospice care at home. She was born January 11, 1927, also at home, in the East Texas farming community of Linwood, Texas (near Alto). She was the baby daughter of an adoring family. Charline always spoke glowingly of her Momma and Daddy, big sister and brother. In the 1930's depression they were poor, but had enough to eat. Even at that young age she could see that others were not so fortunate. Charline helped around the farm, driving at age 12, fetching water from the spring, and helping with the cotton. Recently Charline confided she rarely spent a penny--she would save until she had another so she could get something a little better. Her Daddy played the violin by ear, and Charline became a performer at an early age. She sang with her friends Pauline and Evelyn at community events, and recalled dancing up a storm on her front porch after seeing a Ginger Rogers movie. The movies were magical for Charline. More than seventy years later she could sometimes recall the previews of movies she wished to have seen. "I don't think I saw that one, but I remember the preview. It was a big movie back then!"
Charline graduated from Alto High at 16, and went to stay with her Aunt Annie in San Antonio for better opportunities. At first they operated a bicycle business in Brackenridge Park, renting to soldiers from all over the country. But soon she took a salaried job as a key punch operator at Randolph Field. There she was swept off her feet by Sgt. Henry Nilsen of NYC, an early computer man. They married and in February 1946 Charline found herself at the Chicago train station wearing a skirt and not much of a coat. Somehow the newlyweds found warmer clothes and shelter, and three children ensued. Charline often described her ten years in the Chicago suburb of Park Forest as the happiest of her life.
In her middle years Charline found herself in the Ohio River town of Parkersburg, about half way between Cincinnati and Pittsburg. She took courses at nearby Marietta College in English, Creative Writing, American History, and Political Science. She wrote two short stories and produced another son. In 1960 during a campaign swing she shook hands with John F. Kennedy. Indeed she felt more than a tingle--"He seemed like the most alive
man I ever met!"
The 1970's was the tennis boom and Charline became a player. Her 1977 trophy reads "Most Improved," and her 1978 proclaims "First Place." She became a team captain, president of the city tennis association, and did all she could to promote the sport for children and adults. She also loved her job working the front desk and arranging matches at the local tennis club.
In 1983 Charline and family followed daughter Jan Starkey and family to Marble Falls. Husband Hank helped form the Highland Lakes Flyers radio control model airplane club, and Charline was hired as the children's programmer at the Marble Falls library. She checked out thousands of books in the mornings, and in the afternoons told
stories to thousands of children. She did her best to be the best storyteller she could be. She attended six Laura Simms storytelling conferences in California on her own dime, practiced and performed as much as she could. She sang, played the guitar and drum, wore costume, and even tried ventriloquism with her sidekick, Pink Monkey the puppet. After retiring, while dining out, a young adult would sometimes approach and say that they
remembered her storytelling, or inquire if she was "the pink monkey lady?"
Charline is preceded in death by her father, Benjamin Franklin Dickey, mother Bertha Lucille Cariker Dickey, brother Joseph Franklin Dickey, sister Hazel Dickey Brown, husband Henry Gilbert Nilsen, daughter-in-law Diana Carras Nilsen, and son-in-law Vance L. Starkey. She is survived by daughter Jan Starkey of Meadowlakes, son-in-
law Pat Haney and daughter Linda Nilsen Haney of Lakeway, son Robert H. Nilsen and Denise Carras
of Snohomish, Washington, son John G. Nilsen of Meadowlakes, granddaughter Melissa Starkey Rathmann and great granddaughter Meredith Grace Rathmann of Austin, granddaughter Amanda Starkey Hahn, husband Charles Hahn, great grandsons Carson Edward and Cameron Ellis Hahn of Spring, and niece Phyllis S. Maddux of San Antonio.
Charline was always very thankful to all the wonderful health care professionals and caregivers who helped her in her later years. She would also like to thank her long time physician Dr. J.P. McCurdy and staff.
Remembrances can be made to the St. Peter's Lutheran School or the Marble Falls Library children's department.
Charline's own words: "I believe more and more in the importance of stories, read or told, in the lives of young children. Stories are crucial to the development of preschoolers' imagery, listening skills, cultural awareness, vocabulary, and their emotional development. I find preschoolers are quite capable of forming their own mind pictures while hearing stories, and should have the freedom to do so. They should also have the opportunity to tell their own stories."
Charline was interred at Lakeland Hills Park on October 29. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Marble Falls on Monday, November 2 at 1:00pm, followed by fellowship.
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