Charlene L. (Hennessey) Proper, 92, is now in her Heavenly home as of Monday, October 9, 2023. She was the second of four born to Lola (Price) & Charles “Chuck” Hennessey in Topeka, Ks., at Christ Hospital now called Stormont Vail 1/6/1931. At that time it was a pink stucco building on West 10th facing south with an alcove containing a statue of Christ.

Charlene grew up on a farm in Tecumseh, Ks. performing farm chores milking cows, pitching hay, etc. She attended Oak Grove School which was a one room school with an outhouse, grades 1-8 taught by one teacher who also stoked the furnace in the basement. In grade five she was transferred to Tecumseh North School which contained three rooms & a hot lunch program which was enjoyed by all. She graduated in 1944 and went to Highland Park High School graduating in 1948. Charlene went to work in as a clerk steno1 at the Kansas Department of Social Welfare. She also was a secretary for Tecumseh North Grade School and Washburn University. Utilizing those skills, she of course wrote her own obituary.

Charlene married Don Proper in 1950 and they enjoyed over 63 years together before Don passed away in 2013. In this union was born two daughters Becky Sue Herl and Cheryl Ann Sterling (Dan). She enjoyed her grandsons Joshua and Nathan (Lisa) and three great grandchildren Noah, Lilah and Carmen.

Charlene enjoyed sewing and stitched many quilts. She handstitched one and said that is enough of that & hired out other machine quilters. She liked feeding many birds, one ornery raccoon & one old possum. She enjoyed sitting on her back porch watching nature. She had many flowers and earlier a garden. With the Korean War approaching Don joined the Air Force and was stationed at Fort Warren in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She was fortunate in securing a job as a secretary to State Parole & Probation Office in Cheyenne an interesting job as parolees had to check in monthly. Most of them were sheep herders living in chuck wagons out yonder with fun tales to tell. After leaving the Air Force (four years) they returned to Tecumseh, Ks. & helped build a house on Greed Rd. where she lived until her death.

Charlene was a member of the Tecumseh Methodist Church and Washburn University retiree’s emeritus status (Friends of the University.) She worked there 24 years. After retirement Charlene & Don enjoyed many years travelling south during the winter with several longtime friends with their 5th wheels enjoying seeing old friends & sightseeing America.

Survivors are two daughters: Becky Sue (Proper) Herl, Topeka. Cheryl Ann (Proper) Sterling & Dan, Tecumseh. Two grandsons & great grandchildren Joshua L. Sterling & his daughter Carmen, Tecumseh, Nathan J Sterling (Lisa) & their two children Noah & Lilah, Berryton. One brother, Steve Hennessey (Nelta) Tecumseh, Sister, Sharon Delk (Ed), Ozawkie. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, friends and great neighbors!

Charlene was predeceased by her parents Chuck & Lola Hennessey, husband Don Proper in 2013, sister, Betty Norsworthy and granddaughter, Anna Alyssa Sterling.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at the Tecumseh United Methodist Church where the family will receive friends one hour prior to service time. Burial will follow in Bethel Cemetery in Tecumseh next to Don.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Tecumseh United Methodist Church, 334 SE Tecumseh Rd., Tecumseh, Kansas 66542.

Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave. is assisting the family with service arrangements.

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