Charlotte Annamarie Gaastra

Charlotte Annamarie (Ude) Gaastra passed away peacefully on Christmas Day at Randolph Continental Manor. Charlotte was born on November 11, 1930 in Bad-Wildungen, Germany, the daughter of Wilhelm and Elise (Kaeufler) Ude. She was baptized in 1930 and confirmed in May 1945 (the day Americans came to liberate the town from Nazi control). Charlotte immigrated to the United States on May 5, 1957 to work as a housekeeper for Dewey Miller near Cambria. Charlotte met the love of her life, Peter L. Gaastra, and they were married on January 1, 1958 in Friesland. She was a member of the First Reformed Church and the Dorcas Circle. On October 28, 1963, Charlotte became a citizen of the United States. Charlotte and Pete traveled many times to Germany, Holland, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Georgia. She worked in the Cambria Canning Factory and as a waitress at the Portage Country Club. Charlotte volunteered at the Columbia County Home and at the Continental Manor Nursing Home. Charlotte and Pete loved music, dancing, going out to eat, socializing, and playing cards. Her favorite pastimes included tending her flowers and talking on the phone with many family and friends. In 2014, Charlotte moved to the assisted living facility in Randolph where she enjoyed the social activities and was loved by the residents and staff. Charlotte had an out-going personality, enjoyed meeting people, and saw the best in everyone. She was known by all the children in church as the “Smarties” candy lady. Charlotte was preceded in death by her dear husband, Peter, of 41 years in 1999, her parents, brother, Adam, her parents-in-law, Louis and Jessie Gaastra, several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews. Charlotte is survived by her sisters, Luise Wagener and Margarete Siebert, brother, Heinz-Hermann (Tsolde) Ude, all of Germany, sister-in-law, Joan Gaastra of Markesan, and god-daughter, Laurie Saul, North Carolina, special nieces and nephews, Larry and Linda Dykstra, Cambria, Verene and Al Huizenga, Illinois. Charlotte is also survived by many dear cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Family and friends will meet to celebrate Charlotte’s life on Saturday, December 31. Visitation will be held at the First Reformed Church in Friesland from 9-10am and funeral service at 10:00. Internment to follow at Friesland Cemetery. The Kratz-Smedema Funeral Home in Cambria is serving the family. For online condolences or other information, please visit www.kratzfh.com.