Charlene B. Fiene

Charlene B. Fiene, 84, of Naperville, IL, formerly of Chicago, IL, passed away peacefully
on January 16, 2025. Born on February 21, 1940, in Chicago, IL, to Charles and
Blanche (nee Nikola) Peters, Charlene lived a life defined by faith, service, and an
unwavering commitment to nurturing the lives of those around her.
Charlene was the devoted wife of Roger Fiene for 63 wonderful years. Their love story
began on July 22, 1961, at Bethany Lutheran Church, and their partnership became the
foundation of a loving family and a legacy of kindness. Together they raised two
daughters, Theresa (Mark) Dierking and Cynthia Fiene-Curfs, and were blessed with
eight grandchildren: Daniel, Emily, Laura, Benjamin, Victoria, Lisa, Garrit, and Michael.
Charlene's family was her greatest joy, and she cherished every opportunity to celebrate
their milestones, offer her wise counsel, and share her "Happy Birthday" singing phone
calls-an unforgettable tradition.
A 1957 graduate of Farragut High School, Charlene earned her bachelor's degree in
Education from Elmhurst College in 1961. Her passion for teaching led her to Bethany
Lutheran School, where she became one of the current school's first teachers.
During her forty-two years at Bethany, Charlene taught kindergarten and elementary
grades, especially second grade, which she taught for thirty-eight years, until her
retirement in 2010. Her classroom was a place where young minds blossomed under
her care, and her love of learning and singing became a gift she shared with each
student. She thoroughly enjoyed creating bulletin boards and themed units for her
classroom and usually spent her summers preparing for the upcoming school year.
Even in retirement, Charlene continued to shape lives by volunteering at Bethany,
teaching cursive writing, and providing personalized attention to students who needed
extra support. Her students remember her lessons in penmanship along with her
encouragement for them to do their very best.
Charlene's impact extended far beyond the classroom. She shared her love of music
with her family, students, and the community. Growing up, she was a member of her
school's band and the Chicago Boys Club Band. Later, she became a member of the
Naperville Municipal Band, where she played the clarinet for over 20 years at the
summer concerts in Central Park and marched in the holiday parades. She often
accompanied her children and grandchildren at solo contests and directed student
choirs and operettas. Her hobbies included reading, crafting, sewing, and needlework.
Her legacy of compassion and service was evident in every aspect of her life. She was
a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, a friend who never hesitated to lend an ear or
offer her support, and an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church. Charlene was
uniquely able to make everyone she encountered feel valued and loved.
Her family will forever treasure her probing questions, heartfelt conversations, late
evening phone calls, and boundless encouragement. Charlene's memory will continue
to inspire kindness, curiosity, dedication, and faith in all who knew her.
Visitation will be held on Monday, February 3, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at
Friedrich Jones Funeral Home, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville, IL. An additional Visitation will
take place on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Bethany
Lutheran Church, 1550 Modaff Rd., Naperville, IL, followed by a funeral service. The
Burial will take place at Elm Lawn Memorial Park in Elmhurst, IL.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Bethany Lutheran School Financial Aid Fund in her
name are appreciated. Please use the link below.
https://subsplash.com/u/bethanylcs/give?frequency=once&next_process_date=01/20/2025&fund_id=2d187cce-b670-4cbf-b012-dd9ab0806f0c