Charlotte Hill

Charlotte Hill, 89, Modesto, Calif., and formerly of Ventura, passed away at the Modesto Post Acute Center on Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Modesto.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Friday, March 31, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 1st Ave. North, Clear Lake.  Inurnment will be in Clear Lake Cemetery.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 1, at Grace Lutheran Church, 302 E. 4th St., Hanlontown, with Pastor Linda Johnson-Prestholt Officiating.

Charlotte was born May 7, 1933 in Farmington, N.M.; in a house her father had built.  She was born third of four children.

She spent her early years with Navajo and Hopi Tribes in New Mexico.  Her parents and grandparents worked with various tribes across the South West.  Her grandfather was superintendent of schools on the reservations.

When she was six years old, her family moved to National City, Calif.,, a suburb of San Diego.  During her high school years, she was the yearbook photographer for Sweetwater High School.  She also had a job with a photographer.  Her duties included painting sepia toned pictures.  It was much cheaper to have a photo colorized instead of having a color photograph taken.

At the age of 16, she met the love of her life, Bob Hill.  A Navy man from Clear Lake.  In fact, the night they met, at a dance, he walked her home. With permission from Momma, of course.  When Bob left her at her door; Charlotte went in the house and told her sister, Orpha, she had met the man she’s going to marry.  Sure enough, two years later they were married, once Bob had returned from Korea on July 7, 1951.

They made their way back to Clear Lake in 1952.  They rented various places in Clear Lake until Bob found a barn for sale. (They threw in the house according to Bob).  In 1956 they moved to their forever home in Ventura.  They raised countless horses throughout the years.  

In 1960 Charlotte had the first of two children, Tim, who was born in February.  Becky came along in January, 1966.

Charlotte worked various jobs through the years, Witke’s, The Muskie, The Harbor Inn.  All located around beautiful Clear Lake.  She also was a beautiful seamstress, sewing beautiful bridesmaid’s dresses, homecoming dresses, prom dresses, and all of Tim and Becky’s clothes, which they didn’t really appreciate at that time.  Her hobby became quilting in later years.  She loved making quilts and giving them to family and friends.

Charlotte was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2020.  Not being able to live alone anymore; she moved back to her home state of California to live with Becky and Scott.  She mostly enjoyed the remaining time she had.  She loved to quip about how it was so sunny and warm in Cali compared to all that snow back in Iowa. She always loved her beer in the afternoon and her cookie after supper.  She also loved needling Becky every chance she got, as many Facebook followers know.

Left to cherish her memory are her two children, Tim (Linda) Hill; Glenwood, Iowa and Becky (Scott Friedrich). Modesto; grandchildren, Amy Hill, Hastings, Iowa, Nikki (Tyler Bennett) Hill, Glenwood, Alex (Megan) Bergan, San Diego, Calif., Jacob (Ene-Ly) Bergan, San Antonio, Texas, Sam (Brooke Carlson) Bergan, Ventura; six great-grandchildren; her sister, Orpha, Las Vegas, Nev.; her very dear friend, Jan Grummer, Ventura; several nieces and nephews; and many dear friends from the various quilt guilds she belonged.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, 1995.  Her parents, one sister, one brother, and her seven-year-old great-grandson.

Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.