Charlene (Childs) Boelens

Charlene Boelens, 84, of Annawan, IL, passed away on May 21, 2023, in Cape Coral, FL. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory-Atkinson Chapel with Rev. S. Stephen Engelbrecht celebrating. She will be laid to rest at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery-Atkinson. Memorials can be made in her name to St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital. Condolences can be left at www.vandemorefuneralhome.com

Charlene was born on the family farm in Mineral, IL, on May 31, 1938, the daughter of John and Esther (Clementz) Childs. She graduated from Mineral High School Class of 1955. She married the love of her life Lawrence Boelens on November 19, 1955, and he preceded her in death on November 7, 1996. Charlene lived on the family farm for 60 years raising her five children, milking dairy cows and being a farm wife. She loved Chywan Farms and enjoyed showing antique Oliver tractors with Lawrence. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Annawan and was an active member in the community. Charlene loved to travel all over the world with her friend Joan Eilers. She was a snowbird and would spend her winter months square dancing or bowling in North Fort Myers, FL. She will be deeply missed.

Those left to cherish her memory are children; James (Linda) Boelens, Susan Boelens and Debra (Fred) Kopp, brother, Ron Childs, 11 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and long-time companion, John Kappan.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, Daniel Boelens, daughter, Jane Pennington and sister-in-law, Sylvia Childs.