Charlotte B. Slechta

Born Feb. 6, 1929, in Chicago's Loretto Hospital, Charlotte, better known as “Char,” was the first of two children of Irene and Irving Zackman.

She graduated from Farragut High School in 1947 and married Ludwig “Louie” Slechta the next year. Slechta, a U.S Navy veteran of World War II, was the love of her life.

In 1957, the couple moved to Lyons, where Louie built a three-bedroom ranch home. Charlotte managed their finances and was able to stay home with their three children. They built a tight-knit family, leaning on their Czech roots. She and Louie were married for 60 years before his passing in 2008. Not all of their years together were easy.

“You get past them with love and respect for each other,” she wrote in a letter to her family in 2019 before Alzheimer's disease took her independence.

She was a woman of quiet strength. She died peacefully in the home Louie built, surrounded by the family they created.

Charlotte was known for her soprano voice at St. John’s United Church of Christ and her fierce skills at bingo games at Argo-Summit American Legion Post 735. She relished life's small moments: a fresh loaf of houska, sharing romance novels and puzzles with her family, and reading the Chicago Tribune. She loved fishing, though she never learned to swim, and remained a devoted Chicago Cubs fan throughout her life—enduring heartbreaks until the team’s long-awaited World Series win in 2016. She and Louie spent many joyful springs in Arizona for preseason baseball.

She is survived by: son, James (Gail) Slechta of Brookfield, grandchildren David (Michelle) Slechta of Schaumburg, and Sarah (Jason) Froehner of Huntley; son, Thomas (Lora) Slechta of Orland Park and granddaughter Stephanie Slechta of Brookfield; and daughter, Karen (Alan) Hovorka of Frankfort and grandson Alan Hovorka Jr. of Charleston, S.C.; and seven beautiful great-granddaughters.

She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Irving Zackman Jr., her husband, her brother-in-law Anton “Tony” Slechta, her grandson Thomas Slechta Jr. and many close friends.

Visitation Wednesday, July 30, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 7750 West Cermak Road, Forest Park, IL 60130. We will meet at St. John United Church of Christ, 4500 Prescott Ave, Lyons, IL 60534, Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 10:00 AM for the funeral service. Interment to follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 7750 W Cermak Road, Forest Park. For more information please call 708-442-8500 or visit www.woodlawnchicago.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s UCC, 4500 S. Prescott Ave, Lyons, IL 60534. Or the family requests that you take a shot of Du Bouchett apricot brandy.