Charmian Berthiaume

BERTHIAUME
Charmian "Daun"
Age 78, of Oakdale
Passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 5, 2016. She will be sadly missed by loving husband of 55 years, Jerry; children, Craig (Laura) Berthiaume (Devon - 25; Lilly - 16), Brian (Lisa) Berthiaume, Carrie (Jeff) Seifert (Michael - 19; Catherine - 17; Nicholas - 15; Grace - 14), and Jody (Jim) Herzog (Mitchell - 21, Natalie - 19; Bradley - 17; Matthew - 16); sisters, Pat (Stoney) Stonehouse and Barb (Bill) Hanke; brother, Ross (Jo) Muench; many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Daun was born in Moline, Illinois, on November 11, 1937 to Beatrice and Ross Muench and was raised in Davenport, Iowa with her two sisters and one brother. After graduating from Davenport High School, Daun moved to California where she met Gerald "Jerry" Berthiaume on a blind date and 6 months after, they were married on January 28, 1960. Both were dance instructors at Arthur Murray's Dance Studio. Eventually, Daun and Jerry settled down in Oakdale, Minnesota and raised their four children: Craig, Brian, Carrie and Jody.

Daun walked alongside her children in faith, love and endless giving. She was a homemaker for many years, taught religion at the family church, a lifelong volunteer at her children's schools, worked with autistic children, nursing homes, fundraisers and the poor. Her favorite places to serve were the Listening House and Joseph Coats.

She found joy in being surrounded by her husband, children, and grandchildren, never missing Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, birthdays, sporting events, musical performances, graduations, or any event offering an opportunity for pictures, laughter and fun - including hosting the Annual Christmas Night celebrations for 34 years for siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends. Daun saw family as sacred and always lived her life witnessing to this. She wanted all her kids, daughter-in-laws, son-in-laws and grandkids to have faith, love for one another, enjoy life and create lifelong memories, including the planning of family trips to Mexico.

To spend more time with her grandchildren, Daun retired from her job at Minnesota Life of 15 years and began volunteering at each of the grandchildren's schools. From helping kids put on their hats, mittens, zipping up jackets to opening cartons of milk. All the kids wanted Mrs. Berthiaume to help them and would wait in line just for her.

Daun dedicated her life serving others. She was a humble servant that brought Christ to everyone around her; especially by serving the poor, counseling family, friends and strangers. She will be missed dearly as wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and we look forward to seeing each other again in the joy of eternal brightness.

Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, April 12, 2016, 11:00 A.M. at CHURCH OF ST. PETER, 2600 Margaret Street North, North St. Paul. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Visitation one hour prior to the Mass at church. Memorials are preferred to Listening House, 215 West 9th Street, St. Paul, MN 55102