Charmaine E. Picha

Obituary

Charmaine was born on November 30, 1934, in Glencoe, Minnesota.  She was the daughter of Frank and Helen (Lundquist) Exsted.  She attended the District 65 Country School and then Glencoe High School.  

On June 15th, 1952, Charmaine was united in marriage to Maynard John Picha at First Congregational United Church of Christ. They shared 60 years, 6 months, and 27 days of marriage.  Their marriage was blessed by their daughter, LuAnn, in 1955. 

Charmaine was the type of person who never sat still for too long. She was always working in her yard or garden, tending to her flowers, pulling weeds, canning, baking, looking up the weather forecast, or following the news. 

She was a proud member of the Hutchinson Clown Club, where she walked and rode in parades, painted kids’ hair at fairs, and enjoyed bringing smiles to those at the events.  She especially enjoyed giving unsuspecting adults a little scare. 

Charmaine was involved in her community and cherished the friendships she made through learning with the Hutchinson Historical Society, cleaning and baking with her Homemakers Club, having fun with her Red Hats, and kicking up her heels with the Square-dancing club.  She spent many hours with the Hutchinson Quilting Club cutting, stitching, and piecing together quilts.  Charmaine also lent her hands at the church bazaars, making lefse, rosettes, and countless cookies. 

Charmaine found joy in life’s simple pleasures: strong black hot coffee, watching the big ships come into the Duluth harbor, Elvis Presley, a nice glass of Moscato wine, pranks, overfeeding pets, yellow roses, dinner, or nights out with her friends or family.  She loved her trips to the East Coast to visit her sister, heading up north to see family in Duluth and Superior, the annual trip to Brainerd and Paul Bunyan Land, and visiting Hawaii, Key West, Las Vegas, and Branson. 

More than anything, Charmaine enjoyed helping people.  There is not a single person who left her house hungry or not looked after.  Without hesitation, she helped raise all the kids in her extended family, and took on quite a few others and made them family.  She had a way of sharing her humor and generosity to make everyone feel welcome.  And she always had that sparkle in her eye that let you know she was up to something. She leaves behind a lifetime of laughter, kindness, mischief, strong coffee, and beautifully stitched memories. She will be so missed; blessed be her memory. 

Charmaine is survived by her Daughter, LuAnn Fleck of Glencoe; Grandchildren, Katie Payne of Chaska, Matthew Fleck (fiancé, Toni) of Glencoe, Nathan Fleck (Holly) of Glencoe, Devin Fleck of Eagan, Markus Fleck of Glencoe, Di Fleck of St. Cloud; Siblings, Diane Ide (Ed) of Glencoe, Harry Exsted (Jeanette) of Glencoe, Arthur Exsted of Boscobel, WI, Willard Exsted (Sheryl) of Glencoe; Nieces and Nephews, Jill Alsleben (Godchild), Natalie Ide, Wayne Exsted, Russ Exsted, Joanne Bollin, Scott Exsted, Tamara Exsted (Godchild), Melissa Mayer, Becky Tuchtenhagen, and Laura Fredricks; many Great-grandchildren, Great-nieces and Great-nephews.

Charmaine is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Helen (Ceminski) Exsted; Husband, Maynard Picha; Sibling, Charlette (Exsted) Evenson; Son-in-law, Greg Fleck; Grandchild, Jason Fleck; Grandson-in-law, Brad Payne; along with many other family members and friends over the years.