Charlene "Char" Olsen

Funeral Mass for Charlene Ann “Char” Olsen, 64, of Gilbert, will be 10am Monday, March 21, 2022 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gilbert with Fr. Justin Fish as celebrant.  Visitation will be Sunday from 2-4pm at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert and will continue for one hour prior to the mass at church on Monday.  Burial will be at a later date in the Gilbert Cemetery.

Char died Monday, March 14, 2022 at her home surrounded by family under hospice care.

She was born April 27, 1957 in Virginia, Minnesota to Lubomir and Julia (Ercegovich) Malnar.  She attended Gilbert High School and later married Patrick Hogan on November 25, 1977.  Char’s lifelong career in the hospitality field included management of Iron Range restaurants Grandma’s Kitchen in Eveleth, Little Italy in Gilbert, and the Sports Palace and Michael’s on the Course in Virginia. She later owned and operated Woody’s Saloon in Gilbert with husband Pat and was active on the Gilbert 4^th of July Committee during that time. She delivered Meals on Wheels and was instrumental in organizing numerous fundraisers over the years. Following her husband Pat’s death, Char married Al Olsen on August 7, 2010.  Together they owned and operated Woody’s Knotty Pine Liquor in Gilbert for several years.

Char was an exceptionally generous and giving person, traits she inherited from her mother, Julia. She always had an open door, an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on. Char loved entertaining and was happiest in her kitchen, serving meals cooked with love…and an extra pat of butter!  She prepared holiday feasts and held summer barbecues but was especially known for her Sunday brunches after church which attracted family, friends and strangers alike. All were welcome at “Gramma Char’s” house, and no one ever left hungry. She was a beautiful soul with a deep faith and will be forever loved and missed by so many who knew her.

Survivors include her daughters: Mary (Caleb Keenan) Hogan and Teri (Tanner) Smith both of Gilbert; grandchildren: Luca and Lola Pellini,  Brooklyn, Jersey and Cody Smith; siblings: Richard “Itch” (Deb) Malnar, Roberta (Larry) Klink, twin sister Christine “Tina” Elg and Frank “Butch” Malnar all of Gilbert; several nieces and nephews; dear friend Mary Jo Volker and her pup, Rosie.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Lubomir and Julia; first husband, Pat; second husband, Al; granddaughter, Breanna; friend and father of Luca and Lola, Anthony Pellin and infant son, Ryan.

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