Charlene Gerold

Charlene Ann (Beers) Gerold.

On July 13, 2022, the world lost a loving, kind, and generous wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and best friend.

Charlene Ann Beers was born July 8, 1948, in Ogallala, Nebraska, the youngest of three children born to Peter Beers and Florence (Corneal) Beers.

Charlene attended Ogallala Public Schools through High School. She met her future husband, Leslie Gerold, one evening in Ogallala, Nebraska. They were united in marriage on June 3, 1966, in Ovid, Colorado. Their union was blessed with three children; Troy, Christine, and Robert Gerold.

Charlene was a stay-at-home mom until her youngest child, Robert, started kindergarten. At that time, she became employed by ESU #16 in Ogallala as a cook. Charlene had a kind and caring soul and loved working with children with disabilities. She taught many of them how to bake cookies and cakes. To her students, she was fondly known through the years as Ms. Gerold, My Cook, and The Boss.

When ESU 16 transitioned children to public school in the mid-1990s, she began working as a para-educator. She started this facet of her career with kindergarten students.

Years later, she transitioned to the high school. There she assisted students who were learning to work in the community and transported others to their job sites. She retired in 2005.

Charlene had a particular student with special needs, Jamie Dickenson, for whom she lovingly cared for several years.

She volunteered through the RSVP to greet visitors at the Mansion on the Hill for a couple of summers. Charlene had many interests and possessed a green thumb. She loved her flowers and gardening. She was an animal lover and had many pets throughout her life. In addition to cats and dogs, she raised ducks, bunnies, and a chicken she called Chicken Little.

Her greatest joy in life was caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who loved being with her. She was a talented baker and greatly enjoyed providing them with special treats.

Charlene resided in Ogallala, NE, her entire life until her health seriously declined. When it became apparent that she would no longer be able to care for herself, her daughter Chris and husband John Vian opened up their home in Brule, NE, and made her feel it was hers. While being cared for by her daughter and family, she enjoyed having the time and freedom to view the wildlife and the beauty of the hills surrounding their home.

Charlene is survived by; her husband of 56 years, Leslie Gerold; her children, Christine (John) Vian, and Robert (Ginger) Gerold. Her grandchildren; Miciah Clay, Jackie Gentle, Micheal (Miki) Vian, Amber (Tyler) Myers, Keeghan Gerold, Tucker Gerold, and Jadyn Gerold. Her great-grandchildren; Lilly, Elise, Zahneiah, Tobias, and Xakaryah Gentle, Emerald and Amethyst Myers, Caiden Gerold, Maximus Vian, Breanna, Keyana, and Dezy Hastings; And her very special lifelong best friend, Stephanie Hansen.

She also has a bonus family that she has "adopted"; Casey Rodriguez and his girls, Jazzmarie, Addisyn, and Delanie. Plus, special friend and neighbor, Mike Sweet.

She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings Beverly and Wayne, and son, Troy.

Charlene's wish was to be cremated and not have a funeral or visitation. There will be a small get-together of friends and family at a later date.

Charlene would wish that any memorial donations be made to benefit disabled children. Donations can be forwarded to Chris Vian at 1406 Lakeview Rd, Brule, NE 69127, to be distributed.