Charlene J. Plymire, 84

Charlene Johanna (Kresin) Plymire was born at the Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit, Kansas, on July 20, 1938, to Ralph, Sr. and Beulah (Fisher) Kresin. She passed peacefully at the age of 84 surrounded by family February 3, 2023 in the hospital which she was born.
Charlene grew up on a farm south of Glen Elder, Kansas. She began school early at the age of 4, when her older brother refused to go without her. She attended 1st through 8th grade at a one room school located 1 ½ miles from the farm which many times she would walk home. She shared the classroom with 12 other students from all grades, taught together by the same teacher. All Christmas programs, track meets, and baseball games were against other one room schools from the surrounding area.
Life on the farm remained busy requiring her to help raise chickens, pigs and cattle. Charlene had many other chores like gathering eggs, milking cows, feeding pigs, pulling weeds, gardening, digging potatoes, and canning vegetables. They did not have indoor plumbing until she started high school. This required her to use an outhouse and gather water from a cistern, which she had to use a hand crank to pump the water. They had to heat the water they used to clean dishes, laundry and take baths. Charlene learned to sew at an early age, in which she became quite talented, and entered many outfits at the county fair. She also participated in 4-H where she also cooked and sewed.
She graduated from Beloit High School in 1955 with her older brother Ralph, Jr. Her first job was at the ASCS farm office, where she made enough money that allowed her along with the help of Ralph, Jr. to purchase their parents' first TV in 1955.
On October 5, 1958, Charlene married Larry Plymire at the Zion Lutheran Church in Beloit where they became lifelong members. To this union was born the "Fab 5". She continued working at the ASCS office until her first daughter Pamela was born in 1959. She continued to sew and became an accomplished seamstress which allowed her to use her skills to earn extra income for the family. The family was most often found in clothes which were made from her loving hands. She really enjoyed making matching outfits, which has been well documented in family photos. Once she was blessed with grandchildren, she often continued this tradition. Many area residents were also able to remember her talents as they wore the many prom dresses, cheerleading outfits, bridesmaids and wedding dresses, men's suits and shirts. None of the projects brought her as much joy as she gained from making her four daughters' wedding and bridesmaids dresses. Charlene inherited the love of quilting from her mother, and each of her children & grandchildren were the beneficiaries of this love by receiving quilts from her. The grandchildren were especially fond of their personalized "bear" quilt. She started an in-home daycare which she continued for 27 years. Larry and Charlene took dance lessons with their cousins and enjoyed attending dances in the community, where they often became the talk of the dance. They loved traveling with the Elks Club when their kids were older, and continued later in life watching and supporting their grandkids' activities. She cooked and delivered many harvest meals which she later continued this service by delivering meals on wheels.
Charlene leaves a legacy of love that includes her husband of 64 years, Larry; Pamela Adams (Gary) Hutchinson, Cheryl Hanika (Scott) Wichita, Kathleen Williams (Todd) Topeka, Jeff Plymire, Plano, Texas, Arlene Evans (Kevin) Topeka; grandchildren, Jacob Hanika (Heather), Jordan Hanika (Jackye), Jarin Hanika, Aubrey Moser (Jon), Peyton Kennedy (Josh), Drake Evans, Parker Williams and Kylen Renteria (Plymire); three great-grandchildren, Konner Adams, Nora Moser and Finley Hanika; three siblings, Ralph Kresin Jr., Roger Kresin and Pauline Filbert; as well as many nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and the many babysitting kids she considered her own.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph Sr. and Beulah Kresin; an infant sister Joan; her brothers, Keith and Robert Kresin; sisters-in-law, Linda and Lila (Bunny) Kresin; and an infant grandson.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, February 11, at 10:30 AM at the Zion Lutheran Church in Beloit. Visitation will be at Roberts Family Funeral Home on Friday, February 10, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with family present.
Memorials may be given to the Mitchell County Regional Medical Foundation or Zion Lutheran Church.
The family would like to especially thank the staff at MCHHS that assisted and cared for her in her final days. Roberts Family Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be left at www.robertsfamilyfs.com

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA