Charlene Keay

Charlene “Char” Anne (Christiansen) Keay 87, went to her eternal home on June 28, 2024. Charlene was born on August 5, 1936, to Clifford and Gretchen Christiansen in Muscatine, IA. Charlene was the oldest of two children. Her brother Cliff and her parents preceded her in death.

Char’s father was a lineman for Bell Telephone and the family relocated often in her early years – they moved over 40 times before eventually settling in Des Moines. Char graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines where she was homecoming queen her senior year. Following graduation, Char supported her mother and younger brother, working at several companies including Wright Tree Service and IBM.

While at IBM, Char met the love of her life, Clinton. The two were married in Des Moines on April 29, 1960, and had six children: Steven, David, Karen, Michael, Joan, and Joel. Two of their children, Karen and Michael, died in infancy. Clint left IBM in late 1962, and the family moved to Logan, IA to help Clint’s mother run Perfection Form Company, an educational publishing company. Char was an active board member of the corporation from 1965 until 2021. Char and Clint raised their family in Logan and the two gave generously of their time and talents to a variety of organizations in Logan and provided the impetus for a new community center and pool. Clint and Char later moved to Clive in 2006 where they were both active members of Lutheran Church of Hope.

Without exception, those that knew Char described her as one of the kindest, grace-filled individuals they had ever known. She was a light to those around her, lifting spirits with her laughter, playful humor, and loving heart. She never had an unkind word about anyone and reminded her children not to “put your dipper in someone else’s bucket.” The mutual love and devotion Clint and Charlene had for one another and their unwavering faith in Christ was the bedrock of their lives.
Char also loved art and expressed her creativity many ways: art projects with her children and grandchildren, creating one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces through her “Elements by Design” brand, and membership in the Des Moines Art Club. She enjoyed traveling and was always up for a new adventure.

Family time was the most important time to Char, and she encouraged everyone to gather for activities and games. Char was always the last one up at night, not willing to miss any time with her children or grandchildren. Some of her favorite times were at the family cabin in northern Minnesota where for over 50 years she spent every summer with Clint and the growing family. Her birthday in August would bring everyone together each year for a joyous celebration with many balloons, much laughter, family walks, and activities on the lake. Char water skied well into her 70s.

Char was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Clint, and her two children, Karen and Michael. She is survived by her son Steve (Suzanne), son Dave (Denise), daughter Joan, son Joel (Niti); grandchildren Katrina (Nate), Rebecca (Austin), Michael (Madi), Jacob, Jonas, Ellora, Erela; and great-granddaughter Isabel.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines on October 18th at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior. A luncheon will follow. Memorial gifts may be made to the Hope Legacy Foundation at Lutheran Church of Hope (lutheranchurchofhope.org/give/) or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org/give).

Condolences may be expressed at www.Hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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