Charleen Eleanor Evans

Charleen Eleanor Evans (née Norman), 80, of Grosse Ile Township, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home on May 13, 2025, surrounded by family and friends. Charleen was born to the late Joseph and Eleanor Norman in Detroit, MI on December 6, 1944. She was the youngest of four and is preceded in death by her siblings: William Norman, Ronald Norman and Lois Hudson. Charleen spent her teen years in the dance halls doing what she loved, dancing! Her love of music was evident to all and shared with her children and grandchildren. Grandma couldn't hear a song she liked without rhythmically moving with the music. Charleen married Ronnie Evans in Detroit, Michigan in 1962 and were married for over 50 years. Ronnie and Charleen started their family in 1964 with the birth of their first daughter, Jacqueline, followed closely by Jill Suzette in 1966, and Kelly Ann in 1970. In 1975, the family moved to Dearborn, MI. Ronnie Evans passed away on May 24, 2014. Charleen and Ronnie raised their children in Dearborn, MI. Both parents were very proud of their daughter, Jill, a veteran of the Air Force. Charleen was very close with her daughters' and looked forward to a life filled with grandchildren and extended family. Throughout her life, she was preparing to be a grandmother and her grandchildren knew just how important they were to her. Grandma was ever present in all of her grandchildren's lives. She made frequent trips to Chicago to visit her eldest daughter, Jackie, and her growing family. Jackie and Carl Brewer would be the first to catapult Charleen into grandmotherhood with the birth of her first grandson, Christopher Brewer. She was further blessed with 3 more grandsons: William Brewer, Tristan Brewer and Michael Brewer. She was especially proud of her grandson, Tristan, a veteran of the Marine Corp. Grandma had a very special connection, a secret handshake type relationship with each of her grandkids and I bet each one thinks they are her favorite. Although the miles between them took their toll, the Brewer boys appreciated the quality of time spent with their Grandma. Christopher Brewer, and his wife, Christina, would usher in Grandma's 1st great grandson, Kalani Brewer. Grandma was overjoyed to have spent Christmas with the Brewer's in 2023. Charleen moved to Grosse Ile, MI to live with her daughter Kelly's family soon after her husband's passing. Larry and Kelly Toporek appreciated the hands-on grandmothering that was second nature to Charleen. She loved chauffeuring her grandkids, Jack, George and Ava, around the island making frequent stops for slushies! Grandma joyously attended all of Jack, George and Ava's games and school events. Little did Grandma and Ava know that all of their trips to Heritage Park for pony rides would one day turn into long trips as they traveled the country with a horse of their own! Grandma quickly became the Barn Grandma at Centennial Farms in Grosse Ile and proudly represented the Luton Performance Horses team. She was loved and adored by all of the kids, parents, staff and was a fixture at the barn. Every horse would lose their mind when Grandma walked in the barn because they knew she was hiding a bag of carrots behind her back. Her quick wit and laughter kept all of her adopted adult grandkids on their toes, too. Charleen would venture out on her own in 2016. She purchased a condo in Grosse Ile and remained embedded in her grandkids' lives. She proudly watched her grandson, Jack Toporek, marry his highschool sweetheart, Audrey Albright, in June of 2023. No sooner would she be blessed by another grandson, Rory Toporek, in 2024. Rory will soon hear stories of the joy he brought to grandma every morning, afternoon and evening. He will be reminded of how he gently held her hand and gazed into her eyes. Their connection was otherworldly. Grandma was also there via FaceTime to congratulate her grandson, George and his new bride, Emily, as they stood under the Little White Chapel sign in Las Vegas this past February! Once again, she beamed with pride and her heart overflowed. Charleen quickly became known and loved all over the island. She wasn't a customer to the small businesses and restaurants, she was family. Charleen cherished her friends at Island Coney, Sully's, Galindo's and they treated her like a queen. Charleen Evans loved nothing more than being a grandma to all of the special people in her life. Remaining to cherish Charleen's memory are children, Jacqueline Brewer, Jill Evans (Rick Oeschger, veteran of the Army) and Kelly Toporek; grandchildren, Christopher Brewer, William Brewer, Tristan Brewer, Michael Brewer, Jack Toporek, George Toporek and Ava Toporek; great-grandchildren, Kalani Brewer and Rory Toporek; friend, Jason Grefke. Preceding Charleen in death are spouse, Ronnie Evans; son-in-law, Larry Toporek.
The family is planning a Celebration of Life. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Charleen Eleanor Evans, please visit our Tree Store.