Charlene Ohmann

Charlene S. Ohmann passed away in the morning hours of October 1, 2023 with the hearts and light of her family nearby.  She was 93. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, October 9 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Greenwald with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday and from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

Charlene was the sixth child born to Leo and Carrie (Nathe) Schwieters in Greenwald, a town she loved and served for most of her life.  Charlene met her husband, Jackie Ohmann, a returning WWII Navy veteran, whom she wed in August of 1950. Together they had 11 children.

Charlene was a dedicated member of St. Andrew’s Church in Greenwald, where she sat with her children close to the front altar, always on the west side, during Sunday Mass, while listening to Jackie’s melodic tenor voice coming from the choir loft.  As a young woman, Charlene began her career working for the United States Postal Service in 1950. After 38 years of dedicated service, Charlene retired as postmaster of the Greenwald post office where she greeted townsfolk every day.

Charlene will be known for her capacity to love and the deep empathy she extended to her wide motherly, grandmotherly and neighborly circles.  She not only cared deeply for her family, but also for those who came into her life. Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, neighbors and friends near and far, all felt her tender and kind heart.  She faithfully kept others in her light. Her unfailing faith in goodness was guided by her deep and vigilant faith in her God. She exemplified that which we want to see in others.

Charlene is survived by her children, Peg (Paul) Mercer of Long Lake, MN, Pat (Bruce) Milbrett of Forest Lake, MN, John (Pam) of Wasilla, AK, Susan Keen of Annandale, VA, Lisa (Joseph) Krause of Corvallis, OR, Laurie (Doug) Schley of Mounds View, MN, Steven (Lisa) of Ham Lake, MN, Michael of Lino Lakes, MN, Tina (Angus) Rowe of Zagreb, Croatia, and Sarah (Graham Leonard) Sommers of Reno, NV.  Her survivors also include 22 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, her sister, Joan (Jerry) Ehresmann, sisters-in-law, Gloria Ohmann, Janet (John) Haas, brother-in-law, Fr. Daniel Ohmann; and hundreds of nieces and nephews.

Charlene was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jackie, their daughter Kate, her parents Leo and Carrie Schwieters, her parents-in-law, John and Elizabeth Ohmann, brothers, Herbert and Anthony, and sisters, Loretta Meyer, Dolores Wehlage, Sally Uphoff and Jeanette Barten.

Charlene’s family deeply appreciates the caring staff at Pine Haven for their kindness and care and the companionship she received from her fellow residents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name can be sent to St. John’s - St. Andrew’s School in Greenwald to continue her legacy of supporting primary education.