Charlene Virginia Nielsen

Charlene Virginia Heatwole Nielsen, 93, passed away at her home in Cheraw on February 24, 2020. She was born to E. Herman & Nora (Good) Heatwole on October 20, 1926 in La Junta, Colorado.

She attended grade school at Grand Valley and graduated from Swink High School in 1944. She graduated from Goshen College in 1948 with a degree in Home Economics. She married Alfred Nielsen in 1951, and they lived together on their farm in Cheraw for 65 years.

Charlene was an accomplished seamstress, cook and hostess. She was an active member of the Cheraw United Methodist Church. She especially found joy in her friendships with her co-workers from Social Services, the ladies in the Sunshine Club, the community, and church. As her health declined, she often repeated a verse from Psalms 118:24, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be joyful in it.”

Charlene is survived by her three children, Alane (Bill) Sheaves, Dianne (Bob) Rizzuto and Ross (Darrin) Nielsen; eight grandchildren, Jason, Kristin, Rob, Aaron, Michael, Carl, Christian and Cady and five great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Noah, Colton, Carter, and Cohen; sisters-in-law, EJ Heatwole, Esther Heatwole, Wynette Nielsen, Pricilla Nielsen, Edith Glinski and many loved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Elbert and Franklyn Heatwole; brothers-in-law, Don and Erwin Nielsen and her husband, Al.

A Celebration of Charlene’s Life will be held at the Cheraw United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at the Cheraw United Methodist Church.