Our beautiful mother, Charlotte M. (Wydeven) Menting, went to be with the Lord at the age of 83 on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026. She passed away peacefully at her home in Appleton, Wisconsin, surrounded by her loving family, after a long and courageous battle with dementia. Born in Kaukauna, Wisconsin on June 28th, 1943, she was the cherished daughter of the late Martin Wydeven Jr. and Audrey (Douglas) Wydeven and grew up as one of seven children.

On October 28th, 1961, she was united in marriage to Daniel Menting Sr. in Kimberly, Wisconsin, and together they were blessed with five children. Following thirteen years of marriage, they divorced in 1975. From that time forward, Charlotte was defined by her extraordinary resilience, independence, and unwavering devotion to her family. As a single mother raising her five children, she possessed a tireless work ethic. She worked incredibly hard every single day, making countless sacrifices to ensure her family always had what they needed and felt deeply loved. She was also someone who was incredibly giving. She would look out for anyone who asked for help, and if all she had left was the shirt on her back, she would gladly give it to someone in need. Though we didn't have much growing up, she had a magical way of making sure we never felt it. When it came to birthdays and holidays, especially Christmas, she poured her heart into making them incredibly special, always going completely over the top for her children. Our very best family memories are centered around those times, especially when we would gather to play games. She had a fierce, joyful desire to win, and she absolutely always had to be the winner-a trait that brought so much laughter and life to our family gatherings.

Though dementia clouded her final years, it could never erase the fierce strength and beautiful legacy she built over more than eight decades. We find great comfort in knowing that her mind is now clear, her long days of labor are done, and she has been welcomed peacefully into heaven. She is finally at rest in the arms of the Lord, completely restored and reunited with those who went before her. Her greatest pride and joy were the beautiful, sprawling family she raised.

She is survived by her devoted children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her family includes her daughter Anna and her husband Tony Steward, and their family: grandchild Autumn and her husband Chris O'Connell (and their children, great- grandchildren Chase, Natalie, and Liam), and grandchild Christopher and his wife Ashley Waters. She is further survived by her daughter Sandra Blodgett and her friend Perry, and grandchildren Nicole and Haley; her son Daniel Menting Jr. and his wife Lynn, and their family: grandchild Marissa and her husband Bill Xiong (and their daughter, great-grandchild Hope), and grandchild Riley and his wife Kirsten; her daughter Malissa Lauscher, and grandchildren Andrew Menting (and his children, great- grandchildren Lila, Leo, and Elsie), Jordan, Jenna, and Jada and her fiancé Hunter Bjarnarson; and her daughter Kathryn and her husband Raymond Seidl, and grandchildren Rachel and her boyfriend Sean Gibson, and Alissa and her boyfriend David Adair. She is further survived by her loving brothers and sisters: David Wydeven, Robert Wydeven, Marty Wydeven and his wife Linda, Mary and her husband Joe Keberlein, and Gladys and her husband Pat Vavra; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law from the Menting family: Karen Menting, Lee and Connie Menting, Leroy and Deb Menting, and Leonard and Kathy Menting; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives, and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin Jr. and Audrey Wydeven; her former husband, Daniel Menting Sr.; her sister, Patricia Wydeven; her sister-in-law, Carole Wydeven; her sister-in-law and brother-in- law, Eunice and Ken Kuehl; brother-in-law Tom Menting; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Roger and Kay Menting; and brother-in-law Bernard Menting. "Mom, we will miss you with all of our hearts. While we are comforted knowing you are completely at peace, the world is much emptier without your beautiful, giving soul in it. You will be loved and missed forever.”

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Unity Hospice for the exceptionally loving and compassionate care they showed her in her final days.

By her request, no public funeral services will be held. A private service for her close, immediate family will take place to honor her memory. She will be laid to rest at Highland Memorial Park in Appleton, Wisconsin.

From your son

I love you and may Jesus welcome you with open arms. Proverbs 31:20 …”She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.” My mother with a soft heart. She worked hard not just for her own family but to ensure that everyone vulnerable or in need was supported. I will miss you ‘til we meet again-your son Dan. I bet there is perfect rhubarb upside down cake there.

From your daughter Kathy

When money was tight,

she figured something out.

When plans fell apart,

She found another way.

When things didn’t go as planned,

She did what she could

To make things work.

Somehow, there was always food on the table,

Somehow we had what we needed.

Somehow she kept things going

Even when life wasn’t easy.

As a kid, I never really thought about it.

I just trusted that Mom would figure it out.

Now that I’m older,

I realize how much she must have carried

Without letting us see it.

She didn’t always have the answers

She didn’t always have it easy.

But she never stopped trying

To make things work for us.

And I’ll always be grateful for that.

From your daughter Missy

Words could never fully express how much you mean to me or how grateful I am that God chose you to be my mother. Your life was never easy, yet through every hardship, you always found the strength to keep going. You raised five children on your own with very little, but you always found a way to provide for us and make the little we had feel special. You filled our lives with beautiful memories, especially during the holidays and family gatherings, no matter how difficult life became.

When I became a young mother, you were there for Andrew and me. You lovingly helped me raise my son, allowing me to still enjoy my younger years. Your love and devotion as both a mother and grandmother are gifts, I will forever cherish.

Through some of the most painful and challenging moments of my life, you were my strength and inspiration. Watching you endure so much while never losing your compassion for others taught me more than words ever could. Your strength gave me courage, your struggles gave me wisdom, and your resilience taught me to keep going even in life’s darkest moments.

You have a heart of golf, Mom. You’re loving, caring, humble, and generous with a witty spirit and wonderful sense of humor that made you unforgettable. Your grandchildren call you “legendary,” and you truly are.

I would often tell you, “Mom, you’re going to high heaven.” I wanted you to know that your spirit was so bright that only high heaven could hold it. After all the hardships you endured and all the love you gave, I believed everlasting peace and love were waiting for you with Jesus.

You fought so hard, right until the very end. Although my heart aches, I find comfort in knowing your struggles are over and you are resting in Jesus’ loving arms.

You are my beautiful mother, my inspiration, and one of God’s greatest blessings in my life.

Until we meet again, Mom, I will carry your love with me always.

I love you, Mom-your daughter Malissa

Revelation 21:4 “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”