Charlene Alese Ingalls

Sunday, November 30, 2025, Charlene Alese Marie (Petrie) Ingalls, of Yukon, Oklahoma, left us peacefully to be with Jesus.

Charlene was born on September 23, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan, the eldest child of her parents Evelyn and Marcel Petrie. She was raised by her grandparents Lulla "Mom" and Charles "Dadaw" Landers.

The family moved to East Jordan, Michigan and that is where she graduated High School, along with the young man who had become the love of her life- J.M. (Jay) Ingalls.

Charlene and Jay were married a few months later and celebrated their 71st Wedding Anniversary this past October 9th. They had three daughters: Marcie, Ann and Nancy. The couple built their life together in Michigan, Minnesota, Florida; and have lived in Yukon, Oklahoma since 2008.

She worked in retail, accounting, real estate and sales, and was even a "soda jerk" as a teenager. She had an easy smile, loved to laugh (which made her bright blue eyes even more beautiful), a quick wit and great sense of humor. She was always willing to do whatever she could for anyone. She was a great listener and accepted people as they were. She was just as comfortable in jeans with a bandanna holding her hair back, as she was "dressed to the nines."

Charlene saw value in family heirlooms of any kind; was an avid collector of cookbooks, and recipes; enjoyed reading; taught CCD; refurbished toys for underprivileged children; was a Girl Scout and Brownie leader; a member of the Welsh Society and the Florida Genealogy Society. She was a fantastic cook; did cake decorating, candy making, canning and more. She served on the church bereavement team, made first Holy Communion veils, enjoyed doing a wide variety of arts and crafts and never stopped wanting to learn.

She loved traveling and camping with her family, and taught her daughters many things on their trips, including "leave no trace," and respect for the beauty of God's creation. Charlene and Jay researched their genealogy across the country, contributing to the software and information that we have today.

Her pets always had a special place in her heart, and she loved to watch the birds and squirrels at the feeders Jay built. She enjoyed life and always tried to help others feel that too. Life-changing accidents, broken bones, sicknesses and debilitating diseases could not stop her resilience, make her question her faith, or steal her joy.

She is preceded in death by her father Marcel, her mother Evelyn, Father-in-law Delbert, Mother-in-law Celia, and infant daughter Marcie.

Charlene is survived by her husband and best friend Jay; daughters Ann and Nancy (husband Brian); Grandchildren John (wife Traci), Celia (husband Justin), and Rianna (husband Wiley); and Great-Grandchildren Emily, Nathan, and Annastasia; her sisters Gail (husband Larry), and Julie; Step-sister Cheri, Step-brother Larry, and many nieces and nephews.

She will be buried in Michigan next to her daughter Marcie.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that if Charlene made you smile or feel loved, that you would take the time to make someone else feel that way too.