Charleen Edrie Oerding

Born in Salem, Oregon, Charleen was the younger of the two daughters of Charles and Gladys Asvik.

Charleen moved with her family to Portland, Oregon, early in her childhood. She attended grade and high school in Portland.

Her father died in a work accident when she was 11 years old. Mother was an elementary school teacher.

During high school, Charleen played the violin in the school’s orchestra. She also was accepted into the Portland Youth Philharmonic. She was a proud supporter of that organization in later years.

As a Camp Fire Girl, Charleen spent summers at Camp Namanu east of Portland.

She attended college at Willamette University in Salem and Oregon College of Education in Monmouth, Oregon. She was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

During college, Charleen met her future husband, Buzz Oerding. They were married in 1954. Earning a degree in Elementary Education, she later became a substitute teacher.

As an officer in the U.S. Air Force, Buzz was stationed at several Air Force bases, including a three and a half year deployment to Morocco in North Africa. While there, the couple and their first son travelled around Morocco, experienced a “cruise” on a U.S. Army troopship in the Mediterranean, visited Spain, Germany, and several other European countries, then returned to the U.S. from Germany in 1961.

Life at several air force bases in the States followed, until the family moved to Oregon in 1968.

Charleen was the mother of three and had three grandchildren.

She hosted several international AFS students and was a PEO member. She enjoyed hosting an annual Christmas / New Year open house for friends and neighbors.

Following Buzz’s retirement, the couple traveled extensively in their travel trailer, experiencing the Oregon Coast and much of the United States. In 1999 the couple toured the world, flying from west to east, stopping in many countries.

Charleen was very involved in genealogy. She researched and amassed a wealth of Fitzhugh family information, attended many Fitzhugh reunions, and helped many relatives understand their ancestry.

Charleen’s mobility decreased so the couple moved to Willamette View, a continuing care community, after nearly 50 years in their big house in Portland that she loved. Then her health declined and she moved to an assisted living neighborhood of the community until her passing, with friendly staff and caregivers to provide entertainment, compassion, and excellent care. Husband Buzz lived nearby and visited her daily. Bingo was her passion and her mind was still sharp. She was active in the neighborhood’s hands-on art program each week, despite claiming she had no artistic talent.

Charleen was laid to rest in Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. She is survived by her husband, three children, and three grandchildren. She will be sorely missed by her family, friends, and caregivers.