Charlene Hildreth

Charlene Hildreth, age 85, passed away on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at home.

Charlene was born on February 18, 1939, to Charles and Eva Kirschbaum in Des Moines, Iowa. She was the oldest of four children. Char held many jobs and owned several businesses before her retirement. Some of those included Teamsters Local 147, several positions at Polk County, including a deputy sheriff, and Prairie Meadows. She also owned her own cleaning business and a clothing boutique, Charlene’s House of Fashion. She loved shopping and she loved gardening. She was enjoying tending to her garden plants she received for Mother’s Day this year. Charlene mostly loved her family and following her grandchildren’s sports.

She is survived by her children Bobette and Ray Gulick, Belinda O’Neal, Bobby and Val Mason, Vernon Bennett Jr., Pamela Bennett, Gene Jr. and Kim Hildreth, stepdaughter Tammy Bennett, stepson Steve Hildreth, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Charlene was preceded in death by her husband Gene Hildreth Sr., her parents, her siblings Charles Kirschbaum Jr., Carl Kirschbaum and Carolyn Kirschbaum, grandson Joey Bennett, stepson Jeff Hildreth and stepdaughter Nancy Bianchi.

Services will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Burial will take place at Lincoln Cemetery in Alleman, Iowa after the services.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Charlene.

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