Boren, Charlotte 'Jean'

Charlotte “Jean” Boren, 80, of Iowa City, died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013, at Mercy Iowa City under the compassionate care of the hospice unit, surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Church of the Nazarene in Iowa City, followed by a luncheon, then burial at Anderson Cemetery near Swisher. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in her memory.

Online condolences may be sent for her family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.

Charlotte Jean Coghlan was born Aug. 29, 1933, in Iowa City, the daughter of Earl T. and Ada. A. (Clark) Coghlan. On Dec. 25, 1949, she was united in marriage to Harry E. Boren with the ceremony taking place at her parents' farm near Swisher. The couple had lived in this area, Grundy Center and Spencer before returning to Iowa City to call it home in 1968.

For many years she provided child care to many children of the area, forming lasting bonds of love with these families which have endured to her last days. Though she never had a teacher's degree, she loved to teach and share life experiences with these young minds. She was never bashful in sharing her love, her feisty nature, and humor with all those around her.

Charlotte enjoyed not only her family and children, but was an avid reader, craft person doing needlework, crocheting, and sewing. She prided herself with just how her home looked, decorating it was a joy.

In her early years she enjoyed singing with her siblings, something that she carried throughout her life, the gift of music. But most important to her was her husband, her family and the children she cared for over the years, nothing was more important and nothing brought more joy to her world!

Her family includes five children and their spouses, Beverly Neuzil (Jerome) of Iowa City, Barb Nace (Bob) of Kalona, Becky Bender (Lloyd) of Iowa City, Billie Jean Booth (Dave) of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Jim Boren (Darlene) of Tuscumbia, Mo.; 25 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and three sisters, DeVota Koudelka of Cedar Rapids, Vivian Lytle of Solon and Bonnie Heisdorffer (Leland) of Sigourney.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harry; sisters, Betty and Florence in childhood and Lois Harris; and her brother, Earl “Bud” Coghlan.

Published Dec. 27, 2013 in The Gazette