Elsie Charleston

Elsie Charleston, 92, died peacefully at home on April 16th after an extended illness. For the past 4 years, she was part of a tight knit threesome that included her daughter, Margaret Steiner and Paula Westerlund living in rural Pepin. 

Elsie was born in Mt Horeb, Wisconsin and grew up in Mt Vernon. Early in life after her divorce, Elsie bravely raised Margaret and her son, Paul Steiner, on her own during the sixties. 

She married, Don Charleston Jr, in 1969 gaining four stepsons (Gary, Don III (Geri), Jim and Chris) in the process. They lived in Minnesota for most of their lives, then Wisconsin and spent winters in Florida after their retirement. 

Elsie was a lifelong Lutheran but worked as office manager for 20 years at Wayzata Community Church. She loved entertaining, boating, painting, crossword puzzles, reading her daily devotions and murder mysteries, and above all else, watching the birds, wildlife and flowers outside her window. Besides her children, she leaves behind a brother Rolland Lee, grandson Paul Steiner Jr, step-grandchildren Carlie, Troy, Christie, and Catherine, nephew Kent Lee and niece Kari Lee. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don, of 43 years and stepsons Gary and Chris. 

A special thanks to Lisa Milan, Deb Gorman, Claire Hall, Mari Waters, and Pastor Paul Oppedahl for their continued calls and visits, everyone at Saint Croix Hospice for all their support and to our incredible neighbor, Deb Pommerening for an endless supply of soups, sweets, fruit, and hot dishes that kept us well fed over the last year plus. Elsie will be dearly missed by her family and friends. 

A graveside service will be held at a later date.