Charlotte Florence Shirven (nee Peterson), beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and great-grandmother, passed from this life on August 29, 2026, after a long battle with

Alzheimer's. Born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, she grew up in LaCrosse and lived her adult life in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. She was lovingly cared for by Rick and Shannon Shirven of Danville, Indiana, from 2019 until her death. Although Alzheimer's increasingly shrank her world during the last 8 years of her life, her first 80 were filled with growth.

Char lived a life of learning and teaching. She earned a degree in education from her beloved University of Wisconsin–Madison and, after marrying her high school sweetheart, taught for a few years in northern Illinois and several years at Armitage Academy in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She later dedicated much of her time to Old World Wisconsin: as an interpreter, a Friend, and a member of the Board of Trustees. She also spent many years as a devoted parishioner, choir member, and council member of Vernon Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mukwonago, Wisconsin.

Char taught with an open heart and an open mind. She taught her children and grandchildren to read and learn and be curious. She always encouraged them to ask questions and really think about the answers. Her home was always filled with music and was a safe space for countless friends, neighbors, and relatives.

Char did not just teach; she was always looking for new opportunities to learn. She walked in nature and learned the names and habits of both flora and fauna. She travelled to dozens of countries all over the world, not driven by the urge to collect destinations but by the desire to learn about history and cultures and people. She travelled most of the Lewis and Clark Trail, immersing herself in history. Char was always eager to embrace a new activity: She hiked, swam, cross-country skied and snow-shoed, took up yoga in her 70’s, and asked for (and received) a kayak for her 75th birthday.

Charlotte leaves behind her children: Cathleen Debbink and Guy Colglazier, Christina and David Victor, Richard and Shannon Shirven, Shelley and Pedro Garrett, Bret Shirven and Jennifer Williams, David Debbink, Brian Klippel, and Hilary Goff; her grandchildren: Andrew and Mary Clare Debbink, Madison and Blake Wisdom, Katrina and Brendan Boylan, Virginia Debbink, Jacob Victor, Delaney and Ethan Catt, Grey Garrett and Sara Paschke, Emily and Peter Ingallinera, Brianne “Annie” Victor, Allison Klippel, Sage Garrett, Avi Shirven, Esther Shirven, Hannah “Brooklyn” Shirven, Urijah Shirven; 4 great-grandchildren; and her nieces Erica Peterson Garbacz, Erin Peterson, and her nephews Richard J, Beyer and Daniel Beyer.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, her grandson Gunnar Shirven, her brother, Dahlvin “Butch” Peterson, and her nieces Deanna Beyer and Debbi Beyer Cox.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial donations in Char's memory may be made to Old World Wisconsin or the Alzheimer's Research Association

Hall-Baker Funeral Home, Plainfield is handling her arrangements.