Charlene was born on June 23, 1939 in Des Moines, Iowa. She was the daughter of Fern Marvin and Effie Mae (Vance) Brown. Charlene met James E. Mathes while he was in the Iowa National Guard and were married in Des Moines, Iowa.
She moved with James during his Military and Aviation Career with TWA settling in Overland Park, Kansas and finally in Leawood, Kansas.
Charlene earned her Bachelor's of Arts in English from Drake University in downtown Des Moines, Iowa.
Charlene was a skin and breast cancer survivor.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Mathes on April 25, 2008 and her six year old brother, Rex.
Charlene is survived by her sons, Stephen James and wife, Karen, and David Charles and wife, Karen, grandchildren, Connor, Emory, Katie, Lacy, and Nick, her beloved dog, Max and many friends.
