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Charlene Mary “Char” <I>Padula</I> Walton

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Charlene Mary “Char” Padula Walton

Birth
Kenosha, Kenosha County, Wisconsin, USA
Death
14 Feb 2009 (aged 73)
Rancho Palos Verdes, Los Angeles County, California, USA
Burial
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA Add to Map
Plot
SECTION C-211 SITE 1
Memorial ID
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Walton/Charlene Walton
Charlene Mary Walton

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Charlene Walton Obituary
Walton, Charlene Mary
Sep. 23, 1935 - Feb. 14, 2009
Char Walton, 73, of Rancho Palos Verdes CA, passed away at her home on Valentine's Day. Born Charlene Mary Padula in Kenosha WI to proud parents Margaret "Elaine" (Rasmussen) and Charles Joseph "CJ" Padula, she was the oldest of three children. As a young girl, she cherished riding her horse to a favorite tree with a favorite book as well as teaching her little brothers to play baseball and basketball. She is survived by her brothers, Thomas of Duluth GA and Michael in Tempe AZ. She attended Mount Mary College in Milwaukee where she was voted the Outstanding Athlete of her university and earned undergraduate degrees in Biology and Art, as well as a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy. While working at Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division, Char was introduced to Russell C. Walton and they fell deeply in love. In 1958, they were married in Kenosha, and two years later, having moved to Dayton OH, Char gave birth to the first of their two sons, Steven. In 1965, Christopher was born in Milwaukee. The young family moved to the Palos Verdes Peninsula CA in 1971 to pursue Russ's career in the textbook publishing industry. Over the years, the family enjoyed their days together at the Jack Kramer Tennis Club as well as on their sailboat and during regular trips to Bear Valley Springs and Palm Desert. Waiting until her sons had grown and started their own families, Char returned to her career, creating and running Occupational Therapy departments at multiple psychiatric hospitals in Southern California. Charlene was an unconditionally loving mother, pitching coach, Cub Scout leader, talented dancer and tennis player, and a better artist and singer than she would admit. A grandmother of five, Char suffered the passing of Russ in 1987. Several years later, Char found comfort in the arms of Max Grupenhagen, and they were married in 1997. Together and with friends, they traveled to Europe, were active in the local theater and social organizations, and they lived happily and comfortably until Char was taken ill in 2006. After three courageous years of battling brain, lung, and most recently, spinal cancer, Charlene succumbed to the disease and finally now rests in peace. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends who will remember her for her elegance, thoughtfulness, competitive spirit, and her quick wit. A memorial service will be held on Friday, Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. at St. John Fisher Church, 5448 Crest Road, RPV CA 90275. At the conclusion of the service, the family invites attendance to a reception, also at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Char's name to Make A Wish Foundation (www.wish.org) benefiting children with life-threatening illnesses. "

Published by Los Angeles Times from Feb. 22 to Mar. 23, 2009.
Send Flowers

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Walton/Charlene Walton
Charlene Mary Walton

Send Flowers

Share
Charlene Walton Obituary
Walton, Charlene Mary
Sep. 23, 1935 - Feb. 14, 2009
Char Walton, 73, of Rancho Palos Verdes CA, passed away at her home on Valentine's Day. Born Charlene Mary Padula in Kenosha WI to proud parents Margaret "Elaine" (Rasmussen) and Charles Joseph "CJ" Padula, she was the oldest of three children. As a young girl, she cherished riding her horse to a favorite tree with a favorite book as well as teaching her little brothers to play baseball and basketball. She is survived by her brothers, Thomas of Duluth GA and Michael in Tempe AZ. She attended Mount Mary College in Milwaukee where she was voted the Outstanding Athlete of her university and earned undergraduate degrees in Biology and Art, as well as a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy. While working at Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division, Char was introduced to Russell C. Walton and they fell deeply in love. In 1958, they were married in Kenosha, and two years later, having moved to Dayton OH, Char gave birth to the first of their two sons, Steven. In 1965, Christopher was born in Milwaukee. The young family moved to the Palos Verdes Peninsula CA in 1971 to pursue Russ's career in the textbook publishing industry. Over the years, the family enjoyed their days together at the Jack Kramer Tennis Club as well as on their sailboat and during regular trips to Bear Valley Springs and Palm Desert. Waiting until her sons had grown and started their own families, Char returned to her career, creating and running Occupational Therapy departments at multiple psychiatric hospitals in Southern California. Charlene was an unconditionally loving mother, pitching coach, Cub Scout leader, talented dancer and tennis player, and a better artist and singer than she would admit. A grandmother of five, Char suffered the passing of Russ in 1987. Several years later, Char found comfort in the arms of Max Grupenhagen, and they were married in 1997. Together and with friends, they traveled to Europe, were active in the local theater and social organizations, and they lived happily and comfortably until Char was taken ill in 2006. After three courageous years of battling brain, lung, and most recently, spinal cancer, Charlene succumbed to the disease and finally now rests in peace. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends who will remember her for her elegance, thoughtfulness, competitive spirit, and her quick wit. A memorial service will be held on Friday, Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. at St. John Fisher Church, 5448 Crest Road, RPV CA 90275. At the conclusion of the service, the family invites attendance to a reception, also at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Char's name to Make A Wish Foundation (www.wish.org) benefiting children with life-threatening illnesses. "

Published by Los Angeles Times from Feb. 22 to Mar. 23, 2009.


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