Charlene M. "Char" Orolin

1941 - 2025

Charlene "Char" M. Orolin
(née Dsida)
Born: May 29, 1941 in Chicago, IL
Died: September 30, 2025 in Morris, IL
Age 84, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at Serenity Estates in Morris, IL. Born on May 29, 1941, in Chicago, IL, to Lawrence and Lucille (née Hughes) Dsida, Charlene's life was a testament to resilience and unwavering strength. After losing her parents at a young age, she was lovingly raised by her grandmother, Agnes, whose care and devotion helped shape the remarkable woman Charlene became.
On May 27, 1961, Charlene married the love of her life, Edward Francis Orolin, at St. Mary's Church in Coal City, IL. Together, they shared nearly 30 years of marriage until Edward's passing in 1990. Their bond was one of faith, love, and dedication to family and community.
Charlene was a woman of extraordinary perseverance. In 1980, she endured a devastating, life-changing accident, yet she faced it with courage and determination, choosing not to be defined by hardship but by her ability to overcome it. She built a long career at Morris Paper Mill, working in Quality Control, and she also shared her gifts and passions in many ways-teaching country line dancing lessons, volunteering with Hospice, and faithfully serving as a Eucharistic Minister at Immaculate Conception Church in Morris, IL. Alongside her husband, she co-owned and operated Colonial Catering, leaving many with warm memories of food and fellowship. She was also a proud member of Moose Lodge #544 in Morris, IL.
Charlene's greatest joy, however, was found in her family. She is survived by her loving son, Edward (Pam) Orolin of Wilmington, IL; her sisters-in-law, Anna and Sandra Orolin; two beloved grandchildren, Eric (Carly) Koehn of Morris, IL, and Todd (Marissa) Koehn of Minooka, IL; and five treasured great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Emerson, Quinn, Zoey, and Hudson, who were the light of her life. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Edward, and her sisters Mary Lou Baker, JoAnn Ferrari, and Wanda Bertoglio.
Visitation will be held at R.W. Patterson Funeral Home & Crematory in Braidwood, IL, on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 11a.m to 1 p.m. Funeral services will begin at the funeral home at 1 p.m. Interment will follow at Braceville-Gardner Cemetery in Braceville, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lightways Hospice.
To share memories or offer condolences, please visit Charlene's online guestbook at www.rwpattersonfuneralhomes.com or find us on Facebook.