Charlene "Char" Mae Edith Hassel, nee Saxer, passed away peacefully May 2, 2024, just shy of her 94th birthday.
Born in Hinsdale, Charlene lived a long, fulfilling life surrounded by loving family and friends.
Growing up in Hinsdale, Charlene developed a range of talents supported by her mother Frieda, nee Wendt, father William Saxer and older sister Mayme (nee Saxer) Andrews. She learned to cook, bake, sew, and acquired a passion for the arts, playing both the flute and piccolo in high school band. She and Mayme were lively and expressive, earning them the title of "Sexy Saxer Sisters" in their school and career years. Her family was active in Zion Lutheran Church.
After a brief stint in the Chicago workforce, Charlene met and married Albert Charles Hassel and started a family. Charlene was a natural homemaker, offering love and support to her family and friends, first in Mount Prospect and later in Sleepy Hollow. She enjoyed craft projects, learning and teaching at church, playing bridge, music and golf. She was active in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Dundee, providing a spiritual foundation for her children.
A move to West Bloomfield, Mich., in 1977 had Charlene and Al enjoying golf at Pine Lake Country Club as Al finished his career. During this time Char found her spiritual roots at Hope Lutheran Church, Farmington Hills, continued entertaining and joined a bowling league.
They retired to Tucson in 1984. Gorgeous views inspired Charlene to take up oil painting, depicting many beautiful desert scenes and capturing scenes from their travels.
She and Al were members at Oro Valley Country Club. Charlene attended Resurrection Lutheran Church, where she continued her love of music by playing handbells.
With Al's passing in 2000, Char remained active with painting, bowling, golf and playing handbells until her late 80s.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 25, at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 11575 N. First Ave., Oro Valley, Ariz., with a luncheon reception following.
A brief service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 30, at the chapel at the Clarendon Hills Cemetery, 6900 S. Cass Ave., Darien, with burial after.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Resurrection Lutheran Church Handbell Choir, 11575 N. First Ave, Oro Valley, 85737.
