Charlene Ardele Kotts, age 83, of East Grand Forks, MN, passed away on Monday, April 15, 2019, at Valley Eldercare in Grand Forks, ND.

Charlene Lohse was born on the coldest day in ND history, February 15, 1936, in rural Mohall, the daughter of the late Clarence and Helen (Ketcham) Lohse.  She grew up in Mohall, ND, and graduated from Mohall High School in 1954.  She then attended the University of North Dakota where she earned a Bachelor's of Science in Education degree in 1958.  On August 17, 1958 she was married to Willard Kotts in Grand Forks, ND, and his military career led the family to Texas, Germany, Michigan, and finally back to Minnesota.  Charlene worked as a bookkeeper for Widseth, Smith, and Nolting in Crookston for 18 years. She was also a substitute organist for several area churches.

Charlene's favorite activities over the years were playing organ and piano in church (played 68 years), gardening, playing solitaire, working on puzzles, recycling and sharing coupons. She especially enjoyed playing piano-organ duets with Marjorie Myrold at Wesley United Methodist Church.

Charlene is survived by her sons, Kevin (Joni) Kotts of Morris, MN; Garry (Sharon) Kotts of Stephen, MN; grandchildren, Hailey, Courtney and Nathan; great grandson, Ashton; and step grandchildren Tara, Travis and Tessa; sisters, Mardette (Jack) Miller of Chattanooga, TN; Loralei Allen of Grand Forks, ND; and Arnola Leverson of Minot, ND; and brother, Cory Lohse of Watford City, ND; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Helen Lohse and brother in law David Leverson.

In lieu of flowers all memorials will be donated to Charlene's favorite causes

Memorial Service : 11:00 am on Monday, April 22, 2019, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Grand Forks, ND.

Visitation: One hour before the memorial service.

Inurnment: Mohall, ND in the Spring of 2019