Charlotte Marion Kling, age 89, passed away peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 30, 2017. Charlotte was a gifted pianist and brought the joy of music wherever she went. Tea for Two, By The Light of The Silvery Moon, You Are My Sunshine, and Easter Parade were among her favorites. Charlotte went to business college for secretarial skills. Her nimble fingers could type 100 words per minute and she was proficient in shorthand. Charlotte worked in the Chicago area at Westinghouse and Stuart Warner before raising her daughters and later worked at Oakton Community College. She was involved in church as an Awana leader joyfully encouraging children to learn scripture and sing for the Lord.

Charlotte was a devoted mother and enjoyed being surrounded by her grandchildren. Taking walks with Grandma was an inspiring experience and playing Scrabble was unforgettable! In her eighties, she discovered her artistic talents, still played table tennis and held the MVP status when bowling with her grandchildren. One of her favorite sayings was, "There is only one you - and I'm so glad you're in my life!"

Charlotte was born March 6, 1928. She was preceded in passing by her parents Gunnar and Hilma Anderson and her brother, Paul Anderson. She raised her children with her late husband Warren Kling. She is survived by her two daughters Karen Thigpen (Jim), Kathy Knottnerus (Paul); her grandchildren Lauren Espinelli (Eugene), Jessica Padilla (Nic), Leah and David Thigpen; Rebecca Freidel (Paul), Kristine, Jordan, Brittany, Otto, Caleb, Katie, and Joseph Knottnerus; her great-grandchildren Ethan, Emilee, James, John, Calvin, Cyrus, Autumn, Fiona, Diego; her brother Jim Anderson (Gail), and her nephews and nieces. Charlotte's legacy is trusting the Lord for each day and being grateful for God's provisions. She shared her musical talents and sweetened the lives of others with her kind heart and abundant smiles and is In Our Hearts Forever !

Please join us in celebrating her life Sunday, June 4, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Elgin Evangelical Free Church , 1900 Big Timber Rd., Elgin, IL 60123.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you would seek an opportunity to brighten someone's day with kindness and remember to smile!