In Memory of Charlene Gehrke

Oma, Hannah Charlene, Opa Christmas 2004

My Mom, Char died January 12, 2005-just one week shy of being a 4 year survivor of stage IVb non-small cell lung cancer survivor. Mom lived her life to the fullest before and after she was diagnosed. She saw almost all of the things she wanted to-3 grandkids including my daughter Hannah Charlene, and 4 of her 5 kids married and doing well. The best thing about my mom was her fight. Although she only stood 5’ 2” tall, she was a giant in her fight. She never gave up because she had way too much to live for like movies with friends, my Dad, her kids and of course seeing her grandkids. Although we all knew this would be our last Christmas with Mom, she lived that day to the fullest. She said over and over that this was the best Christmas ever-and her smile proved it all day long. She laughed, she loved, and she lived-just like she did every day-to the fullest.

She called my daughter her Little Angel, and I call her our Angel in Heaven. I love you Mom.