FITCHBURG - Charlotte Ewald, of Fitchburg, passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. She was 97 years old. Her life was a legacy of love, generosity, service and optimism that inspired many.

Born on July 22, 1926, in Waupaca, Wis., Charlotte was the only child of Sherman Salverson and Ina (Horton) Salverson. She attended school in Waupaca and was a member of the First Baptist Church. It was there that she met her future husband, Gale Ewald. After the untimely death of her father in 1942, Charlotte and Mrs. Salverson were left with the responsibility of managing Modern Garage, Sherman’s automotive repair service in Waupaca. The experience curated a personality which would define her over her lifetime, one of cheerful extroversion, affability, and resilience.

Charlotte attended Ripon College, where she and a small group of women founded the Pi Tau Pi independent sorority and developed lifelong friendships. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, she went on to teach at St. John’s, a military boarding school in Delafield, Wis.

While at Ripon, Charlotte had corresponded with Gale Ewald during his U. S. Army service in the WWII Pacific theater. Their long-distance courtship continued after his return, and in 1949 they were wed at the First Baptist Church in Waupaca. They moved to Madison, where they welcomed their first daughter and moved to Monona. Charlotte resumed her teaching in the Orthopedic School at the University of Wisconsin Hospital. The family moved to Denver in 1960, where they welcomed their second daughter.

After returning to Wisconsin in 1961, Charlotte and Gale settled in Monona. Charlotte became an Assistant Librarian at Frank Allis Elementary School and then Head Librarian at Ray F. Sennett Middle School in Madison. She was passionate about serving on the Book Selection Committee for the Madison school system. During this time, she earned her Master of Library Science degree at the University of Wisconsin.

After her retirement from Sennett, Charlotte and Gale enjoyed attending Elderhostel courses and taking trips to visit friends and family around the country. They were steadfast members of Gale’s federal retiree Breakfast Club and devoted patrons of the Madison public libraries. Their days were not complete until they finished the Wisconsin State Journal crossword puzzle. Throughout their lives, Charlotte and Gale were active in their faith, with membership in the First Christian Church, Winnequah Christian Church, Buckeye Evangelical Free Church and Bethany Evangelical Free Church.

Not to enjoy sitting still, Charlotte kept active by baking, taking daily walks, doing yardwork, and enjoying antiquing jaunts with lady friends in a hunt for Depression Glass. She enjoyed knitting and speedily turned out scores of mittens for people in need, as well as sweaters for refugee children.

Charlotte’s friends described her as always having “something up her sleeve,” as she was the first to propose ideas for social events or initiatives. The primary focus of her energy was always on service and ministry. She assumed a leadership role in Christian Women’s Fellowship, often hosting luncheons where she served her trademark lemon meringue pie. She and other volunteers prepared and delivered medical supplies for the international White Cross ministry. Her team delivered more than five miles of rolled cotton bandages to Cameroon! Charlotte also taught English as a Second Language (ESL) to her church’s Laotian community and provided education for citizenship preparation. Charlotte will be remembered by many for the gifts she gave of her time and talents.

In 2019, Charlotte and Gale celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. After Gale’s death in 2020, Charlotte and their beloved cat, Sheba, remained in Fitchburg. In her final years, Charlotte maintained her cheerful demeanor and selflessness, always inquiring about others before considering her own needs.

Charlotte is survived by her daughters, Janet Ewald and Carole Ewald (John Elliott); granddaughter, Hannah Sikorski (Ryan Cook); niece, Gayle Davies; and niece-in-law, Charlotte Davies. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gale Ewald; beloved in-laws, Jane and Robert Davies; and nephews, Robert Davies, Irvin Davies and Bryce Davies.

The family extends immeasurable gratitude to nurse, Kevin Klingmeyer, chaplain, Derek Rosenstiel and all Agrace HospiceCare staff. To all the caregivers at Pine Villa, we extend heartfelt appreciation; you have become family and will forever be in our hearts.

A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. Funeral services will be held at BETHANY EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH, 301 Riverside Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. At that time, we will also remember Gale Ewald, Charlotte’s beloved husband, whose death coincided with the onset of COVID, resulting in cancellation of his funeral. Charlotte’s burial will take place at Lakeside Cemetery in Waupaca at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct.14, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Charlotte’s name may be made to Agrace HospiceCare or Bethany Evangelical Free Church, Madison, Wis. Online condolences may be extended at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Charlotte S. Ewald

July 22, 1926 - September 22, 2023

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