Charlene Sprengelmeyer

Born, June 28, 1940, in Shreveport, Louisiana; Charlene was the youngest of eleven children. She attended St. Mary's Elementary, St. Vincent's Academy and Centenary College; her college stint was cut short when she was seriously hurt in an automobile accident. Her St. Vincent classmates still remain her dearest friends and she always made the trip over to Shreveport to attend their annual get-togethers.

She met Dave, her future husband, who was stationed at Barksdale, AFB. They were married in 1964, and together they shared a happy and exciting life together. The accompanied overseas tours being the best and the unaccompanied, obviously the worst.

Charlene will be remembered as a wonderful wife and mother to her two, Angela and David. David was born in England, after a 60 mile snowy trip to the hospital servicing their home station. She also participated in community affairs, both stateside and overseas. Her Italian tour was especially treasured, bolstered by her Italian heritage she loved it there and they loved her in return.

Charlene enjoyed Austin as well, in spite of our numerous droughts she loved gardening and of course home design and decorating. She had several jobs, the last being the Austin office manager for Texas Business Monthly magazine. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Besides her two David’s (husband and son), also left behind are brother, Nick Putch; sisters, Norma Lenard and Sudie Corbett all of Shreveport, LA; Patricia Linhares of Glendale, AZ and Rita Coleman of Richardson, TX. Also Claudia, Cynthia, Christine, Rita Jane, Laura, Melanie, David, Robert, Dennis and many other very dear nieces and nephews.

Their sweet daughter Angela died two years ago, also of cancer.

My Life

The parade continues, but I've stepped out

Some may notice but many will not.

My flowers will thirst, the shovels may rust

And not fearing the swiffer, final battle to the dust.

I'll miss the men in my life, both husband and son,

We were a great team, many ways different

but so much, much love.

The cancer brigade marches in this parade

Its cadence is quicker, steps a bit shorter,

with turnover greater its ranks always in flux.

Led by officer doctors and nurse NCO's

they march with a fervor and hope for tomorrow.

And my life; I lived style to the end

enjoying the world of fashion and its shops,

There - when the "C" word was whispered

I turned it to skin tone and blush.

Our sweet daughter Angie joined me in this march,

for years she walked by my side,

gone before me she now beckons, hand extended,

I need to take it -- she'll help me.

So the ranks will again close, cadence unchanged,

Love and thanks to you all, I'm in a better place!