Charlotte "Char" Beseke

Charlotte "Char" Beseke, age 70 of Arlington, passed away unexpectedly at CentraCare Long Prairie Hospital on Sunday, July 2nd, 2023. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 8th at Peace Lutheran Church in Arlington. A gathering of family and friends will be 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 7th and one hour prior to service time Saturday ALL AT THE CHURCH.

Charlotte Elizabeth Kleist was born in Arlington on March 21st, 1953 to Lawrence “Spoolie” and Diana (Harjes) Kleist. Char attended and graduated from Arlington – Green Isle Public Schools. On November 10th, 1973 she married William “Bill” Beseke at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Arlington. Bill & Char welcomed two daughters Jessica Marie (1977) and Alizabeth Jo (1979). Char worked jobs around the schedules of her husband and children, often working shifts that allowed her to care for her children first, not having to place them into daycare. Char’s jobs include working as a waitress, cleaning homes in the twin cities, working at TSE (Technical Services for Electronics) in Arlington for many years, advancing from a line job to an administrative position. Before retiring in 2018, Char worked for the Sibley East school system as a paraprofessional which she loved dearly. Char loved all children and treated them as her own.

Char had a huge heart and was very generous with her time. She showed up for those dearest to her, attending all of the events whether it was a sporting event, a dance recital, or a play no matter the distance! Char was truly a great hostess and an ultimate planner, using her gift of creativity & organizing to help anyone in need to make their event perfect. Her mind was always on to planning the next ‘big’ event. Char also enjoyed reading, loved music of all kinds, and dancing. She and Bill were often seen being the only ones on the dance floor. She loved spending time with friends shopping and antiquing. She would always find the best gifts or the perfect decoration for her home. Char liked to keep busy and loved to do many things, but most of all, Char loved being at the lake!

Char is preceded in death by her father; Lawrence “Spoolie” Kleist and parents-in-law; Milberne and Esther Beseke. She is survived by her mother; Diana Kleist, husband; Bill Beseke, daughters; Jessica (David) Frank and Alizabeth Beseke (Wendy), grandchildren; Devon (MicKayla) and Alaya, great grandchildren; Lillian and Kylan, siblings; Craig (Linda) Kleist, Sharon (Mitch) More, Scott (RaNae) Kleist, sisters-in-law; Ruth (Cliff) Franke and Mary Beth Beseke, nieces, nephews and God-children, all whom Char loved as her own children.

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