Ramona Lofthus Charlston

Ramona Charlston excelled as a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. On April 18, she was comforted by family and friends while passing into the arms of Jesus at age 87. Despite facing health challenges the past 2 years, Mona's strong faith enabled her to serve others in various ministries at Trinity Lutheran Church.

She also faithfully prayed for her entire family and many others. Her godly wisdom, humility, selfless service and infectious laugh will forever inspire the many she touched.

Mona was born to Christine and Aslak Lofthus on July 29, 1929 in Watford City, ND, living on a farm until the family moved to Portland, OR in 1935. She graduated from Roosevelt HS in 1947 and Pacific Lutheran College (now PLU, Parkland, WA) in 1957, where she met and married Jim Charlston on October 10, 1952. Jim’s early career in the U.S. Navy saw the family expand and move to Oakland, CA, Hutchinson, KS, Whidbey Island and Tacoma, WA before settling in Seattle in 1957 and later Vancouver, WA in 1973, where they remained. Son Steve was born in Oakland in 1953, daughter Vicky Marxen in Tacoma in 1957 and son Scott in Seattle in 1959. Jim and Mona’s remarkable 64-year marriage remains a model for the family.

Mona worked in public schools in Edmonds, WA and Vancouver, retiring from the Vancouver School District in 1988 after serving in a variety of roles including Teacher’s aide and attendance clerk at Columbia River HS.

She is preceded in death by siblings Orville Lofthus, Richard Lofthus and Borgny Stamper; and survived by sister Inez Korstad, husband Jim, children Steve Charlston (Brenda), Vicky Marxen (Tom) and Scott Charlston; (Nancy) grandchildren Kelley Long (Dustin), Bonnie Martin (Pierce), Lacey Larsen (Kris), Jeff Charlston, Chad Marxen (Andreina), Alyssa Charlston, Lance Marxen, Troy Marxen, Gina Marxen and great grandchildren Lucia Long, Elias Long, Conrad Martin and Grant Martin.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Mona's life and the love she showed to so many people at 1 PM on Monday, May 15th at Trinity Lutheran Church, 309 W 39th St in Vancouver. Mona was involved in Trinity’s charitable work with the poor and elderly shut-ins, volunteering with Mission Sowers and Stephen Ministry. The family encourages donations in Mona's honor, to Trinity Lutheran Church at 309 W 39th Street, Vancouver WA 98660.

Arrangements under the direction of Vancouver Funeral Chapel, Vancouver, WA.