Charlotte Gruenewald

Charlotte Claire Gruenewald peacefully passed away surrounded by loved ones on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the age of 98. She was a caring mother to her only child, Steven. Her beloved granddaughters Kelly & Beth, great grandson Tyler, and great-great grandsons Warren & Walter affectionately called her Mémé.

Charlotte had an intense love for her family, her homeland, and a quick wit and amazing sense of humor, even to her final days when she succumbed from heart disease.
Charlotte was born in Drancy, France in 1925, only child to Felix & Angéle Martin. They later moved to Paris in the shadows of the beautiful Sacré-Coeur, where she worked as a milliner. World War II had a profound effect on Charlotte and the resolute woman she would become. Shortly after the war, she met an American soldier, Jack Morell, and eventually moved across the Atlantic to marry and start a family. In 1973 she married her love Tom, who she met during her 30-year career at AC Spark Plug/Delco (ret. 1981).

Charlotte was an exceptional cook and most dishes included wine or cognac – crêpes from her mother’s recipe were her specialty. She loved all things French and rather than dipping cookies in milk, she taught her grandchildren to dunk langue de chat cookies in white wine. She spent a lot of time knitting and crocheting, her last project was making shawls for each and every person in Memory Care at the Arboretum. She also loved to travel (she was in France at the age of 90), garden, watch wrestling, and spend time with family, friends, and neighbors like Hugette & Eddie Becker.

She is survived by her son Steven (Lori) Morell; granddaughters Kelly (Paul) Wagner and Beth (Jonathan) Sawant; great grandson Tyler (Bethany) Wagner and great-great grandsons Warren & Walter. Further survived by her stepsons Tom (Ursala) Gruenewald and Robert (Karen) Gruenewald; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins from the Morell family, and the Joinaud & Martin families in France. Charlotte joined her loving parents, Felix & Angéle, and wonderful husband, Tom, in Heaven. Also preceded in death by James (Janine), Brian, and Terrence Gruenewald.

We would like to thank Brighton Hospice Care for giving her compassion, dignity, and peace in her final weeks, and the staff at the Arboretum for their friendship and support.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Heart Association.

Visitation is scheduled for Friday, April 19, 2024, from 4:00 PM until 5:45 PM at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield. Service at 6:00 PM.

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