On May 28th, 2026, at 9:34 AM, Haldis Charleen Larsen passed away peacefully at 89 years old, surrounded by her family in Sacramento, CA. Her family shares this news with heavy hearts, but also extreme gratitude for the memories and impact that she had on their lives.
Haldis (known as Charleen) was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on November 22nd, 1936, to Haldis and Charles Victor Bredek. Char’s selfless, kind, and caregiving nature was shaped by her childhood, as she was the oldest of the 10 Bredek children (Charleen, Charles, Roger, Karen, Ken, Joyce, Judy, Susan, Calvin, and Terry Bredek). She has always been, and forever will be, remembered by her siblings as the best caregiver and oldest sister. Due to the responsibility she carried in her early years, Charleen always said that when she grew up, “she wanted to be a kid.”
Charleen enjoyed adventures in her early adulthood, living in San Francisco from 1954-1956, to then settling back in Kenosha, where she met her husband, Larry Gene Larsen. They married Feb 20th 1960 and started their life together. Larry and Charleen had 6 beautiful children – Lynn, Loreen, Robert, Richard, Bart, and Kristi. Although the tragic death of her husband, Larry, in 1976 left her a widow, Charleen’s hard work and bravery gave her children a memorable and fond childhood. She raised her children in Kenosha, WI, curating lifelong memories with trips up to the cabin in Dellwood, summers at the state fair, and making the holidays extra magical. Char was very involved in the community in Kenosha, actively participating in the Swedish American Club, Group J Women’s Club, her involvement in Grace Lutheran Church, bowling leagues, and volleyball leagues. She worked for the UAW (Local 72) for many years and eventually moved to American Motors. When American Motors closed, Char was inspired to become a nurse. She became an RN in December of 1991 and later moved out to California in 2000 with the intention to temporarily care for her brother, Roger, but later decided to stay to support Lynn, Loreen, and Rob in raising their children.
Char stayed in San Jose, California, from 2000 to 2024. She had many hobbies – making jewelry, thrift shopping, crafting, playing cards, and making friends at the Buckhorn bar. Alongside her hobbies, Char’s passion was cooking. She enjoyed watching the Food Network, researching recipes, and writing them down to be shared with others. She loved nothing more than making meals for the masses- she was most well known for her scalloped potatoes and “Char’s Heart Attack Mac” (mac & cheese). In June of 2024, Rich and Martie bought a beautiful home in El Dorado Hills, California. Char moved in with them and was blessed to spend the last two years living with her grandchildren, Madeline and Ryker.
Char was not only the best mother, but the best grandmother too. Her memory lives on in her 9 grandchildren: Erik, Alayna, Olivia, Claire, Jenna, Riley, Ellie, Madeline, and Ryker. She was fortunate enough to meet and love her two great-granddaughters (Erik’s children), Meredith and Maeve. Char’s grandchildren cherish the memories of summers at Great America, trips up to the cabin for the 4th of July, time learning how to cook, and the way she made the holidays feel extra special. Char had a way of making every single one of her grandchildren feel as if they were her favorite. For those who knew Charleen, they know that she never knew a stranger- she befriended every person that she met. She taught the people in her life to find the good in everyone and accept people for who they authentically are. She was a radiant woman who never said no to a good time and preached that every day had the possibility of being great. She was the life of every party, everyone’s older sister and motherly figure, the most wonderful friend, and an incredible role model to all.
Charleen’s family plans to host a celebration of life in Kenosha on August 8th at 4:00 PM at the Swedish American Club (7002 30th Ave, Kenosha, WI). Please reach out to Robert Larsen or Olivia Larsen via Facebook if you plan to attend.
She will be missed desperately by her friends and family, but her memory will live on through them all. We love you, Charleen, Mom, and Grandma. In the loving words of how Charleen would say goodbye when leaving, her family wishes her into her next chapter with a “see ya when we see ya.”
