Charlotte Marion Tarleton
February 25, 2017
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Service Details
Charlotte Tarleton, 75 years of age, from Urbandale, passed away Saturday, February 25, 2017, at Kavanagh House after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born May 23, 1941, in Trivandrum, India, Char’s parents, Rev. Walter and Irma Luedtke, served as missionaries through the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. The family returned to the United States in 1945. Char attended school in Malta and Wolf Point, Montana before transferring and graduating from Sandy High School, Oregon. She then pursued her passions for music and service at Pacific Lutheran University, graduating with degrees in music and social work. She earned a Master’s Degree in Agency Counseling from Drake University in 1991.
Char was the organist at Peace Lutheran Church and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She was a case manager at Genex, assisting clients with vocational rehabilitation for over 30 years. A love for animals was exemplified in Char’s devotion to Schutzhund training with her German Shepherds. Char leaves behind her amazing and loving furry boys – Cooper, Walder, and Khumbu.
Family and friends describe Char as “snarky” for her wonderful sense of humor mixed with a tad of sarcasm. She was well known for her love of those close to her – family, dear friends, church families, work families and clients, and the friends “out on the field.”
Survivors include her brother, Walter Luedtke (Darlene) of Minnesota; nieces and nephews: Cindy Stephens, Ernie Stephens (Eve), Butch Luedtke, Mark Luedtke, Cathy Ballard, and Lavaune Gong (Peter); step-children: Pam Martin, Jerry Tarleton (Lynn), and Mike Tarleton (Jana). Char was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Walter and Irma Luedtke; sister, Elaine Stephens; and brother-in-law, Ernie Stephens.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 4, 2017, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3223 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311.
Memorials in Char’s honor may be made to Puppy Jake Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to selecting, training and placing service dogs with military veterans to improve their lives at home and in their communities via puppyjakefoundation.org.
Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Julie Simon, Des Moines
03/03/2017
I first met Char and Polo over the backyard fence when my three dogs and I were visiting my brother. That was an instant canine link, and over the years wed also chat about flowers, birds, landscaping and many other topics. She was an amusing, well-versed lady who will be missed.
John Gray, Altoona Police Chief (retired)
03/01/2017
I had the privilege of consulting with Char in her capacity with Genex. She was always cheerful, helpful and full of concern for others. Along the way, she made time to share stories of her German Shepherds and was quite interested to learn about our Greyhounds. We lost touch after my retirement in 2011, and it is difficult to learn of her passing from this life. Condolences to her friends and family. She was a great person with a positive outlook and a good sense of humor. It was an honor to know her.