Charlotte L. Fuchs, 80, of Del Norte, Colorado went home to be with her Lord and Savior on May 2, 2022. She was born on March 31, 1942, to Joe and Fern (Richardson) McMillan in Twin Falls, Idaho. At the age of one, the family moved to Walden, Colorado and lived there for 15 years. In 1957, they again moved to South Fork and later Del Norte. Charlotte graduated from Del Norte High School in 1960. After graduation, Charlotte worked for Wilbur Helms at the E-Z Freeze, a popular drive-in for burgers and shakes.
It was here that she met Freddie Fuchs (lovingly called Doozie), the love of her life. They were married on November 6, 1960. They lived on a ranch west of Del Norte when first married and then moved to their home north and west of Center in 1964. Two children were born to this union; a daughter, Julie (Bill) Hume of Rangely, Colorado, and a son, Stace (Loni) Fuchs of Del Norte. She was Gram to Michael (Carrie) Sprunger and Nicole (Bryan) Howe. Bryce, Brent, Mary and Zach Fuchs called her Grandmother with a special emphasis on the Grand. When great-grandkids, Stella, Emerson and Barrett came along, she was affectionately named GiGi. She was Step-Grandmother to Denali, Cody, and Macayla Hicks.
Freddie and Charlotte raised their children while running nearly 2000 head of sheep and growing alfalfa, barley, and potatoes. Charlotte loved helping Freddie with the farm work; no matter if it was working at the sheep shed during lambing season, raising orphan lambs on a bottle, or baling hay. They worked side by side as a family and spent many happy times in the everyday work they were doing.
One of Charlotte’s favorite things was her yard and flowers. Working together with Freddie, they had a beautiful yard. They spent countless hours getting everything just right and it could have been featured in a magazine.
Another favorite past-time was taking pictures. She recorded 60+ years with her camera. She labelled each one with subject, date and place and they were entered in albums. You could trace her and her family’s lifetimes through these photos and her family is thankful for the memories recorded.
Charlotte was baptized while living in Walden as a teenager. She attended the Valley Community Church of God in Center and then later First Baptist Church now known as Gateway Church where she and Freddie were involved in the building of the church. She enjoyed many evening services at Hill Top Baptist (Lonnie and Toni Skinner). At Gateway, she was a greeter and how she loved this job! She greeted everyone with a welcoming smile, hug and the infamous jar of honey which earned her the nickname “The Honey Lady”. She delighted in serving in this role. Many a visitor left after services feeling just a bit sweeter.
She loved God with all her heart and all of His creation. She thought each day was a gift from God and she tried to live her life the way she thought He would have her to. She loved the beauty of a sunrise, the majesty of the mountains, and all of the animals. She had a special fondness for the farm animals raising cats, dogs, chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, peacocks, pigs, and of course, sheep. She had a soft spot for the other little critters who ventured into her world and she befriended baby bunnies, numerous birds and even a fox. Most of these animals were affectionately named and brought her great joy. The most recent gift her and Freddie received was the unexpected arrival of a black tom cat, “Tweedle”. It goes without saying that he ruled the roost but he brought them great joy and was a tremendous comfort to her after Freddie went to his heavenly home.
Charlotte is survived by her sister, Jessie James of Del Norte; children Julie and Stace; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two brothers-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and beloved husband of 59 years. Charlotte was a very special lady to all who knew her. She was a devoted daughter, wife, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and a friend to all she met. She will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on May 23, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Gateway Church in Del Norte. There will be a luncheon following the service for anyone wishing to stay. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Gateway Church to support their Gateway Greeters’ Ministry (Charlotte welcomed newcomers and each received a jar of honey on behalf of the church) and to La Puente Home, Inc. in Alamosa.
Arrangements in care of Strohmayer’s Funeral Home.
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