Charlene was born on February 20, 1944, to Charles and Frances Viaclovsky of Wallis, Texas. She attended Guardian Angel Catholic School and graduated from Wallis High School in 1962.

Charlene attended WCJC and completed her LVN certification and spent time working at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Wharton for several years. Charlene later completed her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Houston in 1968.

She worked as an elementary school teacher for 36 years at James Charles Sanderson Elementary School with Houston ISD where she taught 3rd grade and Special Education.

Charlene made a lifelong career educating future generations. Charlene had pride in her school and students and shared her passion for learning with thousands of children over the years.

Charlene was an avid traveler before she retired from teaching. She enjoyed many trips with fellow teachers and friends over the years. She embarked on many fun adventures abroad and always enjoyed sharing her travel stories with friends and family.

She was a great gardener and enjoyed exercising and staying active. More than anything, Charlene loved her family. She enjoyed spending time with her sister Mary and brother Patrick and their children and grandchildren. She loved to visit and catch up with everyone’s activities and often shared the notable milestones and accomplishments of her nieces and nephews and their children. Charlene was a great listener and always had good advice to share.

While Charlene never married or started a family of her own, her maternal instincts extended to all the children and grandchildren in her family, whom she treated and cared for as her own, insisting they always broaden their horizons and strive for educational excellence.

Charlene was always active and present in the lives of her nieces and nephews and their children. Whether it was holiday celebrations, birthday celebrations or a family reunion, Charlene enjoyed participating in all the activities and spending time with her family. She was always up for a game of scrabble, cards, dominos, or whatever new game her great nieces and great nephew asked her to play.

Charlene is survived by her brother, Patrick Viaclovsky, and his wife, Geneva, and their daughter, Gina; her nephew, Michael Faichtinger, and his wife, Anne, and their children, Casey and Kendall; her nephew, Dean Faichtinger, and his wife, Marsha, and their children, Tyler and Sydney; her niece, Becky Ripper, and her husband, Scott, and their children, Alaina and Alyssa.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Frances Theresa Prazak, her father, Charles John Viaclovsky, her sister, Mary Catherine Faichtinger, and brother-in-law, Alvin George Faichtinger.

Although we always want more time, we feel truly blessed to have had her in our lives for 80 years and take comfort in knowing that she is reunited in Heaven with her parents and her sister, Mary Catherine, and brother-in-law, Alvin.

Visitation will be held on Thursday December 12, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus, Texas and at church on Friday December 13, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Columbus, Texas. A Parish Prayer Service and Rosary will be held on Thursday December 12, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at Henneke Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be Friday December 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church. There will be no graveside service. Pallbearers are Tyler Faichtinger (great nephew), Casey Faichtinger (great niece), Alaina Ripper (great niece), Kendall Faichtinger (great niece), Sydney Faichtinger (great niece), and Alyssa Ripper (great niece and goddaughter). Honorary Pallbearer is Patrick Viaclovsky (brother).

Memorials can be made to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, P.O. Box 669, Columbus, TX 78934.

Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome. com.