Charlotte Mae Rufer

Funeral Service: https://vimeo.com/event/4450386

Tribute Video: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/J4XT9J5KNSKY2J5F

Charlotte Mae (Funk) Rufer, January 9, 1936-July 7, 2024, was born in Omaha, Nebraska. She was the daughter of Richard and Marjorie (Cain) Funk and grew up in Omaha with two brothers, Dale and Richard. She attended four years at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology. She met her husband, Richard Hawley Rufer, at Grinnell her junior year and they were married in 1957 until Richard died in 2012. She decided to become a full-time mother and homemaker when her first child was born.

Charlotte was an active member of the community in Fargo. As her children grew, she volunteered many hours to the Opportunity School in Fargo, providing speech therapy for the children. She was President of the Fargo branch of Junior League, a nonprofit educational women's volunteer organization. She was President of her Chapter (AE) of the P.E.O Sisterhood, a U.S.-based, international women's organization that focuses on providing educational opportunities to women worldwide. She was also very involved in the early beginnings of the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, MN where she served on the Board of Directors for 12 years. She spent countless hours doing fundraisers to raise money to ensure the Center's future growth.

Charlotte spent her summers on Lake Melissa and Detroit Lakes, MN for 67 years making wonderful memories with family and friends. She also was an avid reader and enjoyed gardening, butterflies, hummingbirds, bird watching, scrapbooking, and traveling. Her greatest joy was her family: three children, four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and life-long friendships. She was raised Presbyterian and was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Fargo for more than 65 years, forging many friendships in the congregation, singing in the choir and holding positions on many committees.

Known for her kindness, always being positive, and her giving nature, Charlotte will be missed by all who knew her.

The family would like to thank Eventide Sheyenne Crossings Memory Care and Sanford Hospice House for all their support and excellent care.

She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Sayre of Fargo, N.D. and her children, Christopher Sayre, wife, Nicole, and great-granddaughters, Taylor and Rylie of Fargo, N.D., and her daughter, Shelby Hunt, husband, Ryan, and soon-to-be Baby Hunt of West Fargo, N.D; her son, Michael, and his wife, Darla, and their children, Robert Vallie, wife, Lacy, and great-granddaughter, Vivian of Fargo, N.D., Reed Rufer of Fargo, N.D; her daughter, Marjorie Perkalis of Fargo, N.D; her brothers, Richard Funk, wife, Barbara (Charleston, IL), and Dale Funk, wife, Pat (Omaha, NE); and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Richard.

Visitation (1 PM) and Funeral (2 PM) will be held on Monday, July 15 at First Presbyterian Church, Fargo. Interment: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo.