One must believe in God’s timing as Charlene Crall arrived in heaven the afternoon of March 16, 2026.
The Irish angels reunited our spunky, fun-loving 90-year-old with her Irish husband, Bernard Crall, so they could dance the day away on St. Patrick’s Day. Born Catherine Charlene on April 22, 1935, to Charley and Catherine (Carr) Anderson. She was their firstborn and was followed by the birth of her baby brother, Mick.
Charlene lived her entire life in Monroe County, Iowa and most of her life in her childhood home on old Highway 34 west of Albia. As she aged and some would suggest she downsize and move, she would quickly respond with one of her many Charlene-isms: “Why would I move to town as I am only five minutes from the square and I have the best neighbors.” She loved her country living lifestyle. Charlene attended Pharis Country School west of Albia for her primary school education and was a 1952 graduate of Albia Community High School. She received her nurse’s training through St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Ottumwa, Iowa. Upon completion of her nurse’s training, she became a registered nurse (RN) in 1955. Charlene was very proud of her RN accomplishment, and her credentials enabled her to practice in a profession in which she excelled. She touched many lives in her career. Charlene was a newborn/pediatric nurse, a visiting nurse, a staff nurse in medical offices, an industrial nurse and a school nurse. But for the majority of her working life, she worked as an office nurse for Dr. H.J. Richter in Albia and as the very popular school nurse for the Albia Community School District. Even after her retirement from school nursing, she continued to work part-time as an office nurse at the Monroe County Hospital Medical Clinic and as an occupational health nurse for Cargill until she fully retired at age 82. A favorite Charlene-ism regarding her nursing career would have to be (no matter the seriousness of the situation): “Put a butterfly bandage on it and you’ll be all right.” Charlene and Bernard were united in marriage on November 23, 1957 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia, Iowa, with the Reverend Harry Linnenbrink officiating.
Bernard and Charlene were blessed with four children: Cathy, Tim, Dave and Jean Anne. They celebrated 62 years of marriage prior to Bernard’s death on March 30, 2020. At almost 91 years of age, Charlene continued to possess a strong will to live and love of life. She loved to be included and never missed an opportunity to go. She enjoyed a meal out or being invited to a friend’s home, her trips to Walmart for the best doughnuts, her shopping adventures to Christopher & Banks and Snyder’s in Humeston. Even at 90 years of age, Charlene took great pride in her appearance. She was particular about her hair, wanted her shoes to match her outfit, enjoyed carrying a great purse and never was without wearing beautiful pieces of jewelry. She loved a good pair of petite jeans, too! Charlene was tech-savvy and would highly endorse the daily wearing of an Apple Watch. Charlene enjoyed her family and loved their adventures together. One of her most treasured memories was a family trip with her kids and grandkids to Walt Disney World in Florida. Her happiest days were when the grandchildren and great-grandchildren would visit. She always wanted them to have their own farm memories. The Crall Family Christmas was always celebrated at the farm even though her family outgrew her living room years ago. Charlene loved her holiday traditions and at her Christmas 2025 celebration, a few of her 70-plus years of recipes were on display. Her “good” dining table was decorated with a beautiful holiday tablecloth, a floral centerpiece and red wine goblets for the finishing touch. She insisted on all the adults sitting down at the table together for the Christmas meal. Charlene was an avid card player, enjoying a monthly game of canasta with her card club girlfriends. Her card club started up in the early 1960s. What was once an eight-member group was down to four, but the mighty four still met, played cards, visited and shared desserts. Charlene absolutely loved this gathering. She hosted the ladies in January and served her famous chocolate pie. In April 2025, Charlene’s family hosted her 90th birthday open house in Georgetown, Iowa. There were more than a hundred guests who attended and she greeted and visited with each one. Charlene had a fabulous day and was still talking about it almost a year later. Next to her Catholic faith, her family and friends, Charlene adored her animals. She felt the loss when Penny, her collie, died in 2019 and again just recently when her favorite cat, Scooby-Doo, went missing. Charlene rescued any poor little kitten or cat that made its way to her porch. She turned a deaf ear if anyone mentioned maybe she had one too many cats! She loved her two paint horses (mother-daughter pair, Cuddles and Dolly) and fed them treats whenever she ventured to the barn.
Charlene was a life-long member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia and a member of the parish Altar and Rosary Society. She loved to attend luncheons with her retired friends from school and worked hard to stay connected with her friends and to friends of her children. Charlene had a rather large fan base. She enjoyed sharing happy hour with anyone who stopped by her house. And there was always a salty treat to accompany the beverage of choice. Charlene had many interests and talents. She was an especially gifted seamstress, and many have been the recipient of her handmade pillowcases, baby blankets, and quilts. She gave great thought to her gift giving. And even as a nonagenarian, Charlene was still finding new interests. She started watching college basketball in the past couple of years and loved following Caitlin Clark. She took to watching golf tournaments on television as well! Although she could barely see over the steering wheel, she was an excellent navigator. She knew all the back roads to avoid interstate driving, and her keen memory recalled points of interest to visit. You live to be over ninety, you’ve traveled many a road. Charlene was quite proud of the fact that she was still driving to Dubuque on her own and most times without a companion. Charlene was a giving person, always finding ways to help others.
Her final act of kindness and generosity was as an organ and tissue donor, donating her eyes to the Iowa Donor Network after her death. CCC was truly one of a kind! Charlene is survived by her children, Dr. Catherine Crall (Mike Sinnott) of Dubuque, IA, Tim (DeeAnn) Crall of Worthington, MN, and Dave (Cathy Jo) Crall of Albia, IA; her grandchildren, Trevor Crall, Colin (Christie) Sinnott, Meg (Ryne) George, Taylor (Jessica) Crall, Brendan (Callie) Sinnott and granddaughter-in-law, Shelby (Josh) Fuhs; her great-grandchildren, Kellan, Declan, and Sloane Crall; Jocelyn, Molly, Liam and Cody Sinnott; Hayden, Hadley and Barrett Fuhs; Clara Jo Crall, Natalie George, Desmond Sinnott. Another great-grandchild, Baby George, will join this growing family very soon. She is survived by her brother, Mick (Susan) Anderson, brother-in-law, Steve (Gloria) Crall, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary Joanne and Mike Wasko, sister-in-law, Helen Shepard and many nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins and friends who loved her like a mother. Charlene was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard, her daughter, Jean Anne, her grandson, Jarred Crall, her parents, Charley and Catherine Anderson, her parents-in-law, John and Mary Crall, her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, John Joe and Olive Crall, William and Helen Marie Crall, and Kenneth Shepard.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 22, 2026, opening to the public at 1:00 p.m. with Charlene’s family present form 2-4 p.m. at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia. A Rosary will be recited at 2:00 p.m., led by St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 23, 2026 with Father Isaac Essel officiating at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albia.
Services will be live-streamed on the Sinnott Funeral Home Facebook page.
Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Albia.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family with memorial designations to be made at a later date.
