The memorial service for Gwendolyn “Charlene” Guenther will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea. The Rev. Richard Spande will officiate. Interment will be in the Alden Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Bonnerup, as well as one hour prior to the service.

Gwendolyn “Charlene” Manuel Guenther was born on Feb. 18, 1938, in Albert Lea to Art and Bernice Manuel of Springfield, Mo. She died on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, in Alden at the age of 75.

Gwendolyn “Charlene” Manuel Guenther moved to Springfield in 1940 with her family and attended grade school in southern Missouri. She then returned to Minnesota in 1954 and then later graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1956. After graduating she met her future husband Douglas Guenther, and they were married on June 15, 1957. They fell in love and were married for 56 years. Together they have four children.

Over the years Charlene worked as a secretary for the University of Minnesota, American Thrift and Loan, St. Paul Fire and Marine and Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing until she retired. Charlene was also a member of the Eagles in Cape Fair, Mo., Red Hat Society in Cape Fair and Moose Lodge in Albert Lea. Charlene also enjoyed gardening, crocheting, traveling, bird watching and spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Douglas Guenther of Alden; brother-in-law, Robert (Betty) Guenther of Alden; children Renae Bryson of Hollister, Mo., Wade (Judy) Guenther of Globe Ariz., and Michelle (Lars) Olson of Hollister; sisters Wilma (Leroy) of Cape Fair, Carol Baldwin of Cape Fair, Mary (Larry) Busch of Cape Fair, Jeanette Davis of Cape Fair and Loretta Manuel of Cape Fair; former daughter-in-law, Wendy Guenther, of Stillwater; six grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Art and Bernice Manuel; mother-in-law, Thelma Guenther; father-in-law, Lincoln Guenther; son, Charles Guenther; brothers-in-laws Terry Baldwin and Paul Davis; and niece Susan Borland.