Charlotte Anne Wentzell

Charlotte Anne Wentzell (Pearo), March 11, 1955 to August 9, 2026. Survived by husband Joseph Wentzell, son Matt and spouse Kristen (Julia, Lilah, Isabela); daughter Catherine and spouse Mark Carrington (Brooklynn, Emory, Trey, Lachlan, and William); and son Tom and spouse Lindsay (Elise, Josiah, Annie and Zachary). Char's grandchildren affectionately called her PeeWee, a nickname she shared with her dad. Also, survived by loving Pearo and Wentzell siblings and many nieces and nephews. Char was born in Northeast Minneapolis, graduating from Totino Grace H.S. in 1973. She attended St. Cloud State and went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota with B.A. and M.A. degrees. Char was a creative and innovative physical education teacher, known as the Goddess of Fun wherever she taught. She had a heart for connecting with students who needed extra care and attention. Char met her love, Joe through her friend Patty while attending St. Cloud State. Joe and Char married on November 3, 1978 and moved to Houston, TX for Char's first teaching job and Joe's law school. All three of their children were born in Houston. In 1985, the family returned to Minneapolis. Char was an adventurous person who loved to travel, hike and be outdoors. One of her family's fondest memories was a month-long camping trip with her sister, Gina and niece Amy out west. Two years later, Char, Joe and the family followed with another month-long trip out west, highlighted by an adventure to the Rocky Mountain National Parks. For both trips, "PeeWee" was her call name on the CB radio, where she talked with truckers as though she were one of them. They also enjoyed many trips hiking and canoeing in the BWCA, and scuba diving in Belize and Cozumel. She was an avid biker, logging thousands of miles through the neighborhood and parks, and around the lakes in Minneapolis and northern Minnesota. At the age of 17, Char and three girlfriends biked from home to Cross lake. She later replicated that trip with son Tom and niece Peggy. Char's last long bike trip was the Paul Bunyan Trail from Brainerd to Bemidji. At the end of 2023, she averaged 40 miles/day, six days a week (logging every mile in her Arizona calendar)! Her last bike ride was October 30, 2025 when she finished her standard 12-mile loop with stubborn determination despite sleet and snow. In 2001, Char and Joe purchased their cabin in Cross lake, which she often described as her "happy place." She especially enjoyed mid-July, when all her children and grandchildren gathered for boat rides, bonfires, water sports, hikes at Upgaard and ice cream at Craft and Cone. Char also loved waterskiing, and did so into her late 60s. Char and her family lived with her dementia for 10+ years. Shortly after her diagnosis, she began receiving care from Dr. Vijay Ramanan and the Neurology department at the Mayo Clinic. It was here that she participated in several studies over a number of years with the hope of advancing dementia research. Every September for 6 years she spent 2 days at Mayo with intense testing, offering valuable insights to researchers. Music was always an important part of Char's life, even until the very end. Whether it was singing along to the greats of the 1950s and 60s, playing "happy birthday" on the piano over the phone for birthdays, or playing songs from memory with her own made-up lyrics, Char cherished music and used it to bless those around her. She was in a choir for people with cognitive issues, called Giving Voice. Faith in Jesus was the most important part of Char's life. She took great joy in prayer, often praying the Rosary on her long bike rides. During her years with dementia, her faith grew in profound ways exhibiting the beauty of a childlike faith often praying prayers that were rich in gospel language and resurrection hope. She enjoyed listening to the homilies from her priest as well as her son-in-law. You could often see her give a big thumbs up and a loud "you're doing great" while she sat in the pew. Predeceased by her parents Roy, Jr. and Marilynn Pearo, stepmother Mary Pearo and infant brother John; and infant grandson Nicholas. From the Wentzell family, mother and father-in-law, Jim and Carol, and Joe's siblings Roberta, Marty, and Stephanie. Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, August 23rd from 2-5 p.m. at Washburn McReavy Hillside Chapel (2610 19th Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418). The funeral Mass is at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 24 at St. John the Baptist Parish with visitation one hour prior to Mass (835 2nd Avenue NW, New Brighton, MN 55112) In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (http:///www.theaftd.org/get-involved/ways-to-give) where you can dedicate your donation in memory of Charlotte.

Charlotte Anne Wentzell

March 11, 1955 - August 9, 2026

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