Charlotte Mehlhop

Charlotte Mehlhop passed away peacefully October 3, 2015 after a long battle with Alzheimer's Diseases. She was born on a farm in Iowa in 1930 to Harry & Irene Straight. She was an A student and attended Buena Vista College. She excelled in everything she attempted. Charlotte married Bruce Mehlhop, the love of her life, in 1950 and moved to a farm near Early, Iowa where they raised their family. She was a 4-H leader for 5 years, worked in the Methodist Church and was active in the band and athletic committees at school. After their kids left home, she and Bruce took up ballroom dancing and spent 7 years giving dance lessons. Bruce and Charlotte retired and moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1982, where she took up painting, worked part time for H & R Block for a few years and was involved with several activities in Sunland Village. She & Bruce started playing the button box accordions and became very active playing and dancing at Polka Festivals, Oktoberfests and special functions throughout Arizona and California. They spent many years playing their Button Boxes in German Restaurants in Scottsdale and Fountain Hills. She & Bruce travelled all over the USA and took 10 trips to Europe, making many friends along the way. After her health started to deteriorate, they moved to Solterra Senior Living Center in Lakeside to be closer to the daughter. Charlotte was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She is survived by her husband Bruce, of Lakeside; daughter, Sue (Ray) Williamson of Lakeside; son, Jim (Jean) Mehlhop of Colorado Springs, CO; brother, Don (Faye) Straight of Linn Creek, MO; brother-in-law, Dale Luehring of Terril, IA; 6 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren & several nieces, nephews & cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, Harry & Irene Straight and her sister Florence Luehring. No public services are planned at this time.