Charlotte “Char” Beseke, age 70, of Arlington, passed away unexpectedly at CentraCare Long Prairie Hospital on Sunday, July 2, 2023. A memorial service took place at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 8 at Peace Lutheran Church in Arlington. A gathering of family and friends was from 3-8 p.m. Friday, July 7 and one hour prior to service time Saturday, all at the church.
Charlotte Elizabeth Kleist was born in Arlington on March 21, 1953, to Lawrence “Spoolie” and Diana (Harjes) Kleist. Char attended and graduated from Arlington – Green Isle Public Schools. On November 10, 1973, she married William “Bill” Beseke at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Arlington. Bill and Char welcomed two daughters Jessica Marie (1977) and Alizabeth Jo (1979). Char worked jobs around the schedules of her husband and children, often working shifts that allowed her to care for her children first, not having to place them into daycare. Char’s jobs included working as a waitress, cleaning homes in the twin cities, working at TSE (Technical Services for Electronics) in Arlington for many years, advancing from a line job to an administrative position. Before retiring in 2018, Char worked for the Sibley East school system as a paraprofessional, which she loved dearly. Char loved all children and treated them as her own.
Char had a huge heart and was very generous with her time. She showed up for those dearest to her, attending all of the events whether it was a sporting event, a dance recital, or a play, no matter the distance! Char was truly a great hostess and an ultimate planner, using her gift of creativity and organizing to help anyone in need to make their event perfect. Her mind was always on to planning the next “big” event. Char also enjoyed reading, loved music of all kinds, and dancing. She and Bill were often seen being the only ones on the dance floor. She loved spending time with friends shopping and antiquing. She would always find the best gifts or the perfect decoration for her home. Char liked to keep busy and loved to do many things, but most of all, Char loved being at the lake!
Char is preceded in death by her father Lawrence “Spoolie” Kleist and parents-in-law Milberne and Esther Beseke.
She is survived by her mother Diana Kleist, husband Bill Beseke, daughters Jessica (David) Frank and Alizabeth Beseke (Wendy), grandchildren Devon (MicKayla) and Alaya, great-grandchildren Lillian and Kylan, siblings Craig (Linda) Kleist, Sharon (Mitch) More, and Scott (RaNae) Kleist; sisters-in-law Ruth (Cliff) Franke and Mary Beth Beseke, nieces, nephews and God-children, all whom Char loved as her own children.