Charlotte G. Boven

BOVEN, Charlotte G.
Of Mattawan, Michigan Charlotte "Char" passed away early Sunday morning, June 13, 2010 at Bronson Methodist Hospital. She was born September 16, 1926 in Detroit, the only child of Adolph and Gertrude Musialik Kniese. Growing up in Flint, Char was a 1945 graduate of Flint Northern High School. She wanted to go to college, so she paid her way to Western Michigan University and graduated in 1949, majoring in Social Work and minoring in Physical Education. While attending Western, she met her soon to be husband, Don Boven. They were united in marriage on April 25, 1953. In the 1960's Char earned her elementary teaching degree and taught kindergarten for 16 years for Kalamazoo Public Schools, until her retirement in 1984. She loved the Lord and was very active at Zion Lutheran Church. She knitted shawls, worked at Vacation Bible School, was a member of Mary Martha Guild, and prayed regularly for the Prayer Chain. She loved gardening, reading, dogs, flowers, and the water, where Char and Don enjoyed living at Pretty Lake for 38 years. She was also a member of the WMU Faculty Garden Club and Zion Book Club. She loved everyone - family, friends, husband, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Char was a wonderful person, so very thoughtful and loving. Surviving are her husband of 57 years, Don Boven; their three children, Barbara Bill Foley of Grandville, Scott Diana Boven of Charlottesville, VA, and Mary Ken Weber of Ann Arbor; six grandchildren, Mark, Scott, and Denise Foley, and Bill, Mike, and Brian Weber. A special thanks to the nurses of the Bronson ICU for the care and compassion they gave to Char and her family, especially Ann and Heidi. Funeral services for Char will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday at Zion Lutheran Church, 2122 Bronson Blvd, with Rev. Larry Brelje officiating, where friends may visit with the family from 10:00 AM until the time of services. Private family interment will be in Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church Prayer Garden, or a charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th Street. Please visit www.langelands.com to sign, view, or print Char's online guestbook or leave a condolence to the family.