Charlotte Kohanek

1931 - 2025

Charlotte (Chuckie) Kohanek

June 16, 1931 - August 9, 2025

Charlotte (Chuckie) Kohanek, aged 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at the Neighbors of Dunn County.

Chuckie was born on June 16, 1931 in Downsville, Wisconsin to Henrietta and Donald Cotts. She grew up in Menomonie and attended Menomonie High School, where she won the Alumni Award (a distinction shared with her younger brother, David). She also played clarinet as one of the first women in the Ludington Guard Band.

Chuckie graduated from LaCrosse State Teachers College with a major in Physical Education in 1953. In 1956, Chuckie met Edward Kohanek, a staff sergeant in the US Air Force, and they were married on June 30 of that year. Courtesy of the Air Force, Chuckie and Ed lived in at least seven different places on two continents over the next 20 years, adding five children to their family along the way. After several years in Chicago, they moved back to Menomonie in 1976.

In the 1980s, Chuckie earned her real estate license, focusing on property management. Later, she returned to her love for physical education, teaching an aquacise class at a local pool two times a week for more than 30 years until age 89. Aquacise was more than just good exercise-their class became a tight-knit crew of cherished friends.

After Ed's death in 1990, Chuckie fell in love with Owen Seeley, an old family friend. She found a wonderful second family in Owen's children and grandchildren, and they enjoyed brief but happy years together until Owen's sudden death in 1993.

In 2007, Chuckie experienced a life-changing injury when a blood clot lodged in her brain, taking out much of her vision. She handled this massive change with incredible grace, and was so thankful for the kindness and support of friends and family, as well as for the Menomonie Doorstop bus, which helped her retain her independence.

Throughout her life, Chuckie was deeply committed to her community, and always looked for a way that she could help others. She volunteered at school, church, Meals on Wheels, the Girl Scouts, and for a time, sang with a quartet called The Memories. She had a spiritual home at Tainter Methodist Church, where she served as a volunteer for the Walk to Emmaus, and sang in the choir.

Chuckie moved through life with resilience, humility, and good humor, never happier than when she could share a laugh and make someone smile.

Chuckie is survived by daughters Mary Kohanek of Minneapolis, Ann (Bob Falk) Kohanek of Menomonie, Jean (Cody Rice) Kohanek of Washington, DC, and son Ed (Bev) Kohanek of Eau Claire, along with her beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews and niece and their families, and her cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Edward and Owen, brother David, daughter Elizabeth, and her cousin and best friend Jean Levisee.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 15 at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie with Pastor Hae Jin Bahng officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 14 from 4 - 7 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Menomonie Free Clinic or Stepping Stones of Dunn County.

To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com