Charlotte Louise Harris

Charlotte Louise Harris departed this life on December 11, 2015. She had spent virtually her entire life as a resident of Deshler, Ohio. Prior to her retirement a few years ago, she worked as a beautician. Until incapacitated by a stroke in March 2014, Charlotte also was regularly in attendance at polka dances at Deshler's Bavarian Haus. In fact, the last public event she attended was a dance at the Bavarian Haus the night before she had her stroke. Charlotte came into the world on September 8, 1927, the youngest child of Emil and Anna (Hoops) Rosebrook. She never knew her father, since he died several months before her birth. Her mother raised Charlotte and her four siblings as a single parent during the Depression. Like many residents of rural Henry County, Ohio in those days, Charlotte grew up speaking German at home. It wasn't until she went to school that she began to learn English. Anna's family was very musical, and Charlotte learned at an early age to play the piano and the button box accordion. Although she loved to talk, she only gave one speech in her life, and that was at graduation ceremonies for the Deshler High School class of 1946, for which she was the valedictorian. It was in high school that she met the love of her life - a trumpet player and Deshler High basketball whiz named Kenneth (Dale) Harris. Dale proposed to her on St. Patrick's Day, 1947, and they were married on October 31, 1948 at Peace Lutheran Church, of rural Deshler. A family soon followed, with the birth in October 1949 of son Steven. She and Dale were blessed with three more sons: Kent (1954), Brian (1957) and Todd (1964). Dale - her husband of 59 years - son, Brian; great-granddaughter, Nature; sister, Lillian Massmann; and two brothers, Andrew and Oren Rosebrook passed on before Charlotte. Family was always at the center of Charlotte's life. In addition to sons Steven, Kent and Todd, she is survived by four loving daughters-in-law, Ann; Sherrie; Anna Marie; Sherry; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and sister, Ellen Petersen. She will be deeply missed, but her loving spirit survives in remaining family. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Deshler with Rev. James Wenger officiating. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Deshler. Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. on Monday at Rodenberger Funeral Home, Deshler and from 10-11 a.m. Tuesday prior to the services at the church. www.rodenbergerfuneralhome.com

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Charlotte Louise Harris

September 8, 1927 - December 11, 2015