Charlyn D. Hurst

With profound sorrow, we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, Charlyn Dorothea Hurst, at the age of 88, on Sunday October, 19th surrounded by loving family in Delafield, Wisconsin.

Charlyn was born on February 18, 1937, to Charles and Evelyn Elmer (née Lemke). A woman of exceptional grace, warmth, and unwavering compassion, she devoted her life to the service of others. Upon completing her nursing education at Milwaukee County Hospital, she became a registered nurse and embarked on a lifelong vocation in health care—balancing her professional duties with the responsibilities of raising five children alongside her beloved husband, Manley. Charlyn began her distinguished nursing career at Milwaukee Lutheran Hospital, where she was privileged to care for, among many others, members of the Milwaukee Braves and Brewers.

Her commitment to public health later led her to serve the Sokaogon Chippewa Community as the County Health Nurse for Forest County. Subsequently, she held the position of Public Health Nurse for the City of West Allis, where she and Manley made their home and eventually retired. Even in retirement, her dedication to the well-being of others remained steadfast, as she generously volunteered her time and expertise at local medical clinics.

A woman of deep and abiding faith, Charlyn regarded her greatest accomplishments not in her many professional accolades, but in her roles as wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Her life was a testament to enduring love, selflessness, and moral conviction. She cultivated lifelong friendships and maintained meaningful connections that enriched both her life and the lives of those around her. Avocationally, her interests ran from playing bridge with a close circle of friends, to teaching master gardening clinics with Manley, or working the annual Lions Club corn roast at the Wisconsin State Fair, to playing a good game of ‘up and down the river’ at heartfelt, raucous family gatherings that included much laughter.

Charlyn is now reunited with those who preceded her in death, including her husband, Manley; her parents, Charles and Evelyn; and her brother, Charles II. She is survived by her children—Russell and Elizabeth; Wendy and Charles Matuszewski, Karen and John Carter, Brian Hurst and James Patterson; and Jennifer and Edward Krug—as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren, all of whom are the proud inheritors of her legacy of compassion, wisdom, and service.

The family would like to acknowledge the care and kindness shown by the neighbors of Stratton Drive in West Allis, whose quiet constancy and thoughtfulness enriched her life, particularly in recent years.  We also pay tribute to her cherished friends in nursing, Mary and Rita, whose steadfast companionship and shared devotion toward caring for others brought her strength and joy.  And to Pat, her sister in heart – your unwavering bond of spirit, reaching back to nursing school, is the radiant embodiment of enduring love and friendship.

Charlyn Hurst exemplified the very essence of what it means to be a devoted nurse, a loyal friend, a loving spouse, and a nurturing mother. She imparted her strength, knowledge, and empathy with humility and grace, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her. Though she is no longer present among us, her spirit endures in the lives she so profoundly touched and in the countless hearts she uplifted. May her soul find eternal rest and peace in the embrace of the Divine. Rest in peace, kind, sweet Mother.

“My greatest joy is that I raised my family to love our Lord Jesus.”

Visitation will take place at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7821 West Lincoln Avenue, West Allis, Wisconsin, on Monday, October 27, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, with Service to follow. Charlyn will be laid to rest at Wisconsin Memorial Park Cemetery following the Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to VITAS Healthcare, 12000 West Park Place, Suite 200, Milwaukee, WI 53224

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