Charlene Helen (Gross) Liebenow was born at home in Racine, Wisconsin, on February 25, 1931, to Felix and Louise Gross. She was born early and was so small that she fit in a cigar box. The doctor gave instructions on how her parents should care for her. Charlene thrived and lived to be 95.
Charlene was baptized into the Christian faith on March 15, 1931. She was confirmed in the Christian faith on May 12, 1946, at St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church in Racine. Charlene’s faith in God was steady and sure. She was outgoing and cheerful. She passed peacefully on her 95th birthday.
Charlene (“Char”) grew up in Racine, Wisconsin, located on the shores of Lake Michigan. She attended St. James Evangelical Lutheran School and graduated from Racine Lutheran High School in 1950. She enjoyed visiting her cousins in Columbus, Wisconsin, where she had a summer job at the ice cream shop owned by her relatives. Charlene’s first job out of high school was with Western Printing in Racine. She loved her job, and she enjoyed time with her “girlfriends.” The “girls” went to weddings together and enjoyed throwing parties. They went on several trips together - one to New York City and one to a dude ranch.
One of Charlene’s closest friends in high school was Lois Liebenow. Lois introduced Charlene to her brother, Herbert Liebenow. Herb and Char began dating, and some of their dates included visits to the local ice cream shop. Herb and Charlene were married on a snowy day, January 30, 1954, at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Racine. Herb was attending Concordia University River Forest (Chicago) when they married. After graduation, Herb, a Lutheran educator, took a call to Zion Lutheran School in rural Palmyra, Missouri. Charlene gave birth to her children, Mark and Linda, in nearby Hannibal, Missouri, where the closest hospital was located.
Charlene and Herb moved to St. Louis, Missouri, when Mark and Linda were very young. The house at 2000 East De Soto Avenue in St. Louis was Charlene’s favorite of all the houses she lived in. Charlene and her husband relocated to Milwaukee in 1966 to be near family. They spent most of their marriage living at 4728 N. 74th Street. Charlene loved hymns and sang in a number of choirs. She and her children were members of several church choirs directed by her husband, Herb. The whole family sang together in the choirs, often singing four-part harmony.
Charlene and Herb sent their children to Lutheran schools through high school, as well as higher education at Concordia College for Linda. Charlene supported the goal of Christian education for her children with jobs at Famous-Barr, Gimbels, Fruit Ranch and other companies.
Charlene enjoyed traveling. She traveled to Germany three times, and, later in life, took a cruise with her friends to Mexico. She traveled to New York, Virginia, South Carolina, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota and other states mainly to see family and friends. She enjoyed several getaway places in Wisconsin, including West Bend.
Charlene spent most of her life in Milwaukee. Charlene’s husband, Herb, passed away in late 2002. Charlene moved to Stanley, Wisconsin, in 2014, where she lived with Linda and Daryl. In 2018, she moved to Round Rock, Texas, near Mark and Rose. In 2022, Charlene returned to her native Wisconsin, where she spent her remaining years in Thorp, Wisconsin, near Linda and Daryl.
Charlene Liebenow is survived by her son, Mark Liebenow, and her daughter, Linda Bischoff. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Rose Liebenow, and her son-in-law, Daryl Carlson. She is survived by her grandchildren: Amy Bischoff, Kevin Bischoff, Christian (Elizabeth) Liebenow, Alexandra Liebenow (Tyler) Cleveland, and Andrew Liebenow.
“G.G.” is survived by her great-grandchildren: Travis, Kyla, Julia, Joshua, Abigail, Samantha, Phoebe and Miriam. “Aunt Char” is survived by many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert; sister, Norma; grandsons, Jacob and Philip; and great-granddaughter, Shayna.
A Service of Christian Burial will be held at Mound Cemetery Chapel (Racine, Wisconsin) at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026, followed by the Rite of Committal at Graceland Cemetery (Racine, Wisconsin). Services will be conducted by Reverend David W. Peters (Milwaukee Lutheran High School '72). Funeral arrangements by Cuddie Funeral Home in Thorp and Purath-Strand in Racine.
Mark and Linda would like to thank the caregivers at Turner Integrity Care (Jerry Turner, owner) and St. Croix Hospice for the wonderful care their mother received. Mark and Linda would like to thank Rev. Phil Beukema, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church - Thorp, for the pastoral care he provided to their mother and family.