Charlotte was born December 13, 1925, in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, to Albert and Clara LaClair, the 7th of 9 children born to the couple. She attended St. Johnsbury schools through the 10th grade, later moving to Springfield, Massachusetts where she became a "Rosie the Riveter," at the wartime Springfield Armory, making parts for the M1 rifle. She met her husband to be, Everett "Brad" Bradburn, an army sergeant, at a USO dance. They had a military wedding in 1944 and shared 55 years together before Brad's death in 1999.
Charlotte and Brad moved to Kansas after the war. They made several unsuccessful attempts at farming in their early life together. They eventually settled on three acres on North Meridian in Wichita, where they lived for 34 years until Brad's death. Charlotte continued to live there for another 20 years.
Charlotte often told the story of taking her sled to school in the Vermont winter and sledding home after school. She shared that love of sledding with her kids and grandkids, finding a place to sled, even in Kansas. In her later years, she made winter trips to Vermont where activities included sledding with her siblings.
After Brad's retirement from Boeing, Charlotte and Brad started a rototiller sales and service business. She used those tillers to till many a garden in Wichita's north-end. It was a sight-to-see as that little lady unloaded the tiller from the back of a pickup, womanhandled it around a large garden plot, and then, garden tilled, loaded it back up.
Charlotte was a long-time member of Riverview Baptist Church in Wichita where she enjoyed taking care of the outdoor flowers and taught Sunday School and Awana.
She is preceded in death by: her parents, Albert and Clara; along with 10 siblings.
Charlotte is survived by her six children and their spouses: Wayne Bradburn and Phyllis of Eagle, Idaho, Rudy Bradburn and Carol of Emporia, Kansas, Diana Litke and Tom of Springfield, Colorado, Jerry Bradburn and Joyce of Olathe, Kansas, Mark Bradburn and Phyllis of Topeka, Kansas, and Gregory Bradburn and Teri of Chico, California; along with 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, several step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution has been established with Riverview Baptist Church, 844 West 53rd Street North, Wichita, Kansas, 67204.
