Connie Lou Charles

Connie Lou Charles of Sterling passed away Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Brush, Colorado. A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 29, at Halouska Family Chaney-Reager FH with Jon McDonnell officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, with reception following at Riverview Golf Course.

Connie Lou Charles lived a life defined by loyalty, creativity, generosity, and a deep love for family. Born in Sterling, Colorado to Helen (Waltz) and Larry McDonnell, Connie embraced the role of responsible oldest daughter from the start, helping raise her younger siblings while developing her own remarkable talents.

She attended Iliff High School, where she shone as a cheerleader, calypso‑band singer, senior class president, and prom queen. She formed lasting friendships, including her lifelong friends Wilma and Karen. Another cherished set of friends, Jan and Al, entered her life when their first children were born in 1963.

Connie always knew the love of her life, Ronald James Charles, who grew up across the street. They began dating in 1957 and married on June 18, 1961, sharing nearly 50 years of partnership before Ron’s passing in 2010.

Connie and Ron raised two children, Ronald James Jr. (deceased 2022) and Deena (Andy) Schendel of Merino. Connie loved them with quiet, unwavering devotion.

She worked in Denver from 1962 to 1977 for Stanley Structures, Specialty Restaurants, and American Furniture. In 1977, she and Ron purchased the Sterling Burger King and returned home. Alongside running the business, Connie continued her professional career as full‑time Controller for Sterling Construction Company until retiring in 1999.

Family gatherings—first in their Denver “McMansion” and later in their Sterling home—became beloved traditions under Connie’s guidance. After the loss of her father in 1993 and her brother Ken in 1994, she stepped naturally into the role of family matriarch. She also cared for her mother, Helen, both before Helen moved to New Orleans in 2001 and again after she returned to Sterling in 2005, providing loving care until Helen’s passing in 2007.

Connie’s creativity touched every part of her life. She decorated beautifully, gardened with a green thumb, canned award‑winning produce, worked with glass and solder, and filled her home with artistic detail. Her sewing room produced square‑dancing outfits, children’s costumes, and—most enduring of all—her treasured quilts. Every baby in the family—child, grandchild, cousin, niece, nephew, and later great‑grandbabies—received a quilt stitched by Connie’s hands.

Her fur babies, Mimi and Molly, were her companions while raising her children. In later years, her grand‑pup Carter became her constant shadow.

Nothing brought Connie more joy than being Nana. Her grandchildren—Matthew, Adam, Drew, and Carson—and her great‑grandchildren—Karlie, Rylee, Braydon, Tinsley, Duane, Leeland, Emily, Suede, and Landen—were the delight of her life. Nana and Poppy’s house was always “the place to be.”

Camping was a lifelong family tradition. Early trips included both their parents in their own campers, also brother Jerry (Jo) and brother-in-law Darrell (Georgianna), Connie and Ron graduated from tents to small trailers and eventually to their beloved fifth‑wheel. They traveled the country with siblings, extended family, and many friends. During their cancer treatments, they found healing on the road, and Connie became a proud breast‑cancer survivor. Beginning in 1999, Bob and Lois became cherished traveling companions for countless miles.

Connie and Ron, along with Bob and Lois, held Bronco’s season tickets for years. After Ron passed, Connie chose not to attend games but treasured the memories.

Travel often brought Connie and Ron to New Orleans, where her sister Jo lived. They loved the food, music, festivals, and especially Mardi Gras—returning home with boxes of beads for grandchildren, neighbors, and the community. Ron adored Zydeco music, and together they wandered the French Quarter, watched the Mississippi River, and enjoyed its magic. Connie continued these trips with Jo after Ron's passing.

Connie was also an enthusiastic sports fan who loved football, rodeo, NASCAR, and her Colorado Rockies. She embraced life with curiosity, generosity, and an open heart.

Connie lived an extraordinary life—creative, hardworking, compassionate, and ahead of her time. She gave her love through action, celebration, tradition, and kindness.

She will be forever remembered as Connie McDonnell Charles—Nana, Matriarch, Creator, Caretaker, Adventurer, and the heart of her family.