In loving memory of

Charlene 'Char' E. Thompson
August 2, 1938 - April 6, 2017

CHARLENE THOMPSON
FRUITLAND, Iowa - Charlene "Char" E. Thompson, 78, of Fruitland, passed away on Thursday, April 6, 2017, at her home.

Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Reverend Tom Berryman of Island United Methodist Church will officiate. A time of food and fellowship will be held at Island United Methodist Church following the service. Burial will take place in Island Cemetery at 11:00 Saturday, April 15, 2017. Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. on Monday, April 10, 2017, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Island United Methodist Church or Genesis Hospice Program. Online condolences: www.wittichfuneralhome.com

Char was born on August 2, 1938, in Rock Island, Illinois, the daughter of Merle and Arlene Witkoske Strause. She married Jasper S. "Tom" Thompson on March 31, 1962, in Muscatine. He preceded her in death on July 18, 2005.

She was school bus driver for the L-M School System for 17 years. She was a member of the Island United Methodist Church. She was a Girl Scout Leader and served on the North Ridge Girl Scout Service Unit and was active with the Shining Trail Council. She will be especially missed by her dog, Teddy.

Those left to honor her memory include her daughters, Kimberly S. Thompson of Fruitland and Kay L. Chapman of Letts; two grandchildren, Kelsey and Ben Chapman of Letts; one brother, Merle Strause and wife, Bev, of St. Louis, Missouri; two sisters, Sandra Axtell and husband, Randy, of Muscatine, and Sherry Coyle and husband, Gene, of Osceola; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one brother, Carl Strause and his wife, Dar; and her other dog, Rex.

Tributes

Imagin Bartenhagen wrote on Feb 17, 2018:

"I miss you so much. You made me feel better always. I love you so much!"

Adam Drawbaugh wrote on Apr 20, 2017:

"Char will be miss by many. I have know char since childhood when my grandma Frankie ever since had me going to the Island."

Kelly (Reimers) Clark wrote on Apr 10, 2017:

"I was fortunate to know Char and benefited from her kind and energetic spirit. She was always willing to step in and volunteer with whatever organization or activity her girls were participating in. I knew her from little league softball and 4-H. I was a friend of Kim's and fondly remember sleep overs, trips to the fair and snipe hunting on 4-H camping trips. Char was always involved and made a difference in a lot of people's lives. My sympathy goes out to Kim and Kay and Char's remaining family. "

Ronda Lane wrote on Apr 10, 2017:

"Char was every child in Fruitland, Iowa favorite person. She was the town friend, mother, and grandmother. She will be dearly missed. All my sympathy to the family."

Janelle (Torrence) Purcell wrote on Apr 8, 2017:

"Char was one of the most significant people of my childhood. She was my girl scout leader for well over 10 years. On a weekly basis, a memory of her comes to mind & things she taught me. I am grateful & continue to pass on her knowledge. She is one of the best people ever. "

Jeanette Hillman wrote on Apr 7, 2017:

"Char was our next door neighbor for 30 years. She was our children's bus driver and our daughters G.S. leader. She was a "go getter". Even when she went into a wheelchair she never slowed down. She was the most wonderful lady I have ever known."

Linda (Crooks) Arnold wrote on Apr 7, 2017:

"Char was such a big part of of my young life! She was my Girl Scout Leader for several years! I learned so much from her! I will always have a special place in my heart for her!"

Michael &Neva Rickey wrote on Apr 7, 2017:

"Char Our LORD took you home You was always very specail to us. We were friends when our children was small/ Girl Scouts/And from our church..So many days of laughter /sadness Kay & Kim we send you Our love .."

anonymous wrote on Apr 7, 2017:

"Char worked at a bible camp for children. She had a large collection of interesting things that the kids loved. They mainly loved it because of her welcoming and kind personality, her smile lit up all the kids faces. She had so many stories to tell and they just loved it. Char and her wonderful personality will be greatly missed. "

Jerry & Marilyn Truitt wrote on Apr 7, 2017:

"We have wonderful memories of Char from our camping days. We shared a lot of good times and laughs. She was the only person to literally sit Jerry's ornery butt in a mud puddle! We laughed until we cried. She never forgot that and always reminded him whenever she saw him. Rest in peace our friend."

Melody Stevens wrote on Apr 7, 2017:

"Char was always willing to help anyone with a project, she was such a good example to all the girls she helped. Her smile and laugh was awesome. We will greatly miss her. Melody Stevens and daughters."

Willie Offerman wrote on Apr 7, 2017:

"I knew Char mostly through Girl Scouts. While she was a leader of girls, more importantly she was a leader of leaders. We all tried to be better because of her... not unlike most of the students who knew and loved her. It is said we are all a combination of our experiences and Char was an exceptionally important experience and example for me."