Charlene Ann (Schroeder) Shaw was born on February 7, 1937 to Arno H. & Welma (Heesch) Schroeder. Charlene grew up on a farm North of Treynor. As the oldest daughter, she became the caretaker of her younger siblings when her Mom was recovering from Tuberculosis. She was Baptized and Confirmed at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Treynor, Iowa and Graduated from Treynor with the Class of 1955.
Charlene was united in marriage to the love of her life Gerald P. (Jerry) Shaw on January 20,1956 and to this union they were blessed with two daughters. After her marriage to Jerry – she became a member of the Zion Congregational Church. She was an active member of the Dorcas Aide, her bible study group and served as a Deacon on the Church Board, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She and Jerry were members of the Neighborhood Club – the guys would play cards and the women would do a craft while the kids played.
Charlene was a woman of faith and through all she was dealt in her life, her trust in God never waivered. She believed in the power of prayer over all else and lived her life by the saying “Take one day at a time – ALWAYS”.
Charlene was a farm wife, worked in the food service industry for many years at the Treynor Elementary, JEMH, various nursing homes and the meat department at the Treynor Grocery Store. She worked 3 jobs everyday after Jerry passed away in November 1979 to provide for her daughters. She continued to work until her retirement at the age of 73. Words that you can hear mentioned to describe her are Selfless, Hardworking, Determined, Loyal, Soft Spoken, Kind Hearted and Giver of Great Hugs.
Charlene has always had an open door policy to her home! After moving to town, you could find many around the table for coffee on any given morning that there was time for conversation. Her home became the hub of all her daughters’ friends. She was known for having the counter covered in snacks for after game get togethers. You could count on her having plenty of room for an extra to crash at any given time. She loved all the kids and no one ever went away hungry or feeling like they didn’t hold a special place in her heart.
Her family was her greatest joy and she treasured every moment spent with them no matter what the occasion. She never missed an activity that her kids/grandkids were involved in. She traveled to the County Fairs, Iowa State Fair, AKSARBEN and Denver National Western to watch them show their animals and traveled many miles to all their school activities as well. As the family grew and she became Great Grandma she relished the opportunity in spoiling and loving the next generation. She wasn’t able to get to as many of their activities but she never missed a birthday party! Her family always knew they were loved unconditionally and that they could talk to her about anything.
In 1999 she moved to Oakland where she would be closer to her family. She loved playing cards with the girls every Monday. She enjoyed her conversations with the ladies at the Beauty Salon, as well as her special friendship with Randi (her beautician) who helped keep her busy. Charlene remained close to her H.S. friends and even in their 80’s they still got together and continued to have slumber parties. She enjoyed talking with her friends daily if not weekly and enjoyed time together whenever the opportunity presented itself. She was a woman who believed that if you quit moving your body or learning new things – you grew old.
She wore the titles of Mom, Grandma & Great Grandma with the utmost pride and love. She was the most AMAZING woman and was loved by all who knew her. A void in all our hearts will remain until we are reunited; however, until then we will rejoice & celebrate a life well lived by the woman we were so lucky to have as ours!
Charlene was preceded in death by her husband Jerry Shaw; her parents Arno H. & Welma (Heesch) Schroeder; her in laws, Leslie M. & Dorathea M. (Schmidt) Shaw; her brother, Kennard Schroeder; her sister, Janice Luedecker; her sister-in-law, Kay Young and her nephew Tim Fahrenkrog.
She is survived by her daughters: Lisa (Steve) Feigenbutz and Beth McDermott; her grandchildren: Devan (Kelsey) Feigenbutz, Dakota (Shayley) Feigenbutz, Dexter McDermott, Morgan McDermott and fiancé Baxter Knapp, Walker McDermott; Great grandchildren: Kinsley, Lane, Levi and Luca Feigenbutz; her brother Darreldean (Lavina) Schroeder; her sister Lagene (Russ) Harris; a brother-in-law Elton Young and a host of nieces and nephews and many friends.
A funeral service for Charlene will be held on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM, at the Zion Congregational Church in Treynor, IA. A time of food and fellowship with Charlene’s family will be at the Treynor Community Building, immediately following the funeral service. Interment will be at a later date. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is assisting the family.
