Charlene "Charley" Casjens

Rock Rapids, IA Charlene Charley Casjens, age 66 of Rock Rapids, IA died Friday morning, May 14, 2010, at the Rock Rapids Health Care Centre. Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 20th at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids, with Rev. Dean Shelly, officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery at Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Thursday, May 20th from 9:30 a.m. until service time with the family present at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Charlene Charley Casjens was born November 28, 1943 at St. Marys Hospital in Enid, Oklahoma, the daughter of Charles and Margaret Catherine (Campbell) Roark. She was raised in Enid and attended Enid Public Schools. She graduated from Enid High School in 1961. Charley was united in marriage on February 5, 1964 to David W. Casjens at St. Lukes Methodist Church in Enid, OK. Together they lived for a short time at the Loring Air Force Base in Maine, before moving to Iowa City, IA, where her husband, David received his Law Degree. In 1970 they moved to Rock Rapids, IA. Charley worked briefly at Lyon Manor Nursing & Rehab in Rock Rapids. She was a member of P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), one of the pioneer societies for women, and very active with a local Bridge Club. She enjoyed playing cards, traveling and entertaining friends and family. She also was very talented with crafts and loved working in her yard and garden. She received her Master Gardeners Certificate through Iowa State Extension and for several years designed and maintained flower projects in the Rock Rapids area. Her family will remember her as a selfless person who gave time to others. Her family feels blessed to have had a world class sister, aunt, daughter and friend. She is survived by two siblings, Kathleen Patocka of Hennessey, OK and Thomas H. (Mary) Roark of Del City, OK; a brother-in-law, Floyd C. (LaVera) Casjens of Rock Rapids; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorials may be directed to Lyon County Hospice.