Charlotte McKenzie

Charlotte was born on October 30, 1938 in St. Louis, Missouri to Gustav Sandve, an immigrant from Norway and businessman, and Margaret Detlie, a teacher. Charlotte was their only child. Her mother’s father was also an immigrant from Norway. In later years she enjoyed reconnecting with that side of the family by going to Norway and during family reunions in the Midwest.

Charlotte had a dog for several years while growing up in St. Louis and learned to play the piano starting at 6 years old. She enjoyed going to summer camps and was a good student. She met her future husband, Bill, in high school and they both liked Hank Williams music. She later attended Washington University and graduated with a B.A. with an emphasis on teaching. After graduating, she married Bill in 1960 and they had their first child, Margaret, in 1961 and later moved on to Colorado where her son, Jim, was born in 1964. She was a stay at home mother, but also worked as an elementary school teacher in the early years of her marriage.

As a family they lived in Colorado Springs and traveled around Colorado, Missouri, and other states. Following her divorce in 1974, she worked at Goodwill and other places and worked hard to overcome the challenges of mental illness and loneliness. She regularly said that God, through his Word and counseling, helped her. She also visited her children often in Denver. Charlotte later worked in housekeeping for over 30 years and served many people and volunteered at the Haven House for the mentally ill and at Silver Key helping seniors in Colorado Springs. She also played the piano in senior communities for over 40 years and was active in different churches, sharing the Gospel through word and her writings. She sang in choirs and played hymns of the faith. She also sang the Hallelujah chorus and Brahm's German Requiem with the 150 Voice Presbyterian Choir at the Pikes Peak Center in Colorado Springs. She was content living a simple life. After eight years of living in the Denver area to be closer to her son Jim, she returned to Colorado Springs in 2024 to be closer to him and his wife, who had moved back in 2022.

Charlotte is survived by her son, Jim; daughter-in-law, Yolanda; and many cousins in the Midwest. We have God's peace that passes all understanding and are comforted as a family that she is in the Heavenly Father's presence through her faith in Christ her Savior. See Philippians 4:7; John 3:16 and Psalm 23:4 - "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me..."

She is preceded in passing by her ex-husband, Bill; and daughter, Margaret. Charlotte played the piano at both of their Memorial Services.

A Memorial Service will be held for Charlotte at 2:30PM on Sunday, February 1, 2026 at The Church of God, 627 North Circle Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80909.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Charlotte's memory may be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or to the Springs Rescue Mission.