Charlotte Ann Steffensen

05/17/1953 - 06/25/2022

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Obituary For Charlotte Ann Steffensen

Sunset The sun set quite slowly this day, drifting placidly down through clouds blackening, threatening the onset of another storm to come and pass. And yet she took this in her stride quite calmly, as her colors mellowed in moments from red to yellow and all the changing hues through the light in a prism. Then, as I watched, she gracefully burst forth a flaming blindness. The tips of trees lie in waiting and caught the gentle rays as they soared for earth, glistening and laughing, golden and free. And from a distance the wind began to blow and join the folly, dancing all the while and playing a tune among the branches. Then the birds began to sing and crickets call, as fireflies lit the darkness for the celebration of another Summers Eve.

Charlotte Ann Steffensen left this world June 25,2022 peacefully in her home after a long battle with lung disease. She was born in May of 1953 to Rufus “Bucky” and Mary Elizabeth Shouse in Yokohama, Japan, where her father was stationed in the U.S. Army. Many years later, after her children were born, she would take on the nickname “Yokohama Momma”. In June of 1992, Charlotte married the love of her life, her “Armyman”, Harvey “Steff” Steffensen, and together they had 4 children, Carrie Steffensen, Tacoma, WA; Heather (Justin) Arnold, Goldsboro, NC; Nathaniel (Karen) Weakley, Cashmere, WA; Nora Gazelle, Puyallup, WA, and 7 beautiful grandchildren, Kaleigh (William) Castle, Clarksville, TN; Justin Arnold Jr, Finn and Rylie Weakley, Kenney Steffensen, Riley Gazelle, and Adam Yi. In October 2020, their daughter, Carrie, passed away after battling diabetes. Charlotte’s sister, Hope Shouse of Tacoma, is the last living survivor aside from her husband, children, grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, of which she helped raise. Charlotte’s father, Rufus “Bucky” passed away in February of 1982, and years later she would lose her mother, Mary Elizabeth, and brother, Philip “Lee” Shouse. In 1973, Charlotte attended Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN, aspiring for an art degree. Soon she would find life had other plans, but she never gave up her love of art. Charlotte is known for being a miraculous gardener (her husband called her Mother Nature), a talented artist, lover of music and nature, published poet {Sunset) and a truly amazing momma, granny, sister, aunt, and loving wife of 30 years to her Armyman. She adored the outdoors, always said that was her church, where she felt closest to God. She loved the ocean, the scent of the saltwater, the way the sand warmed her feet, and the way the waves cleansed her soul, yet she had a fear of water. The mountains, though, they held a very special place in her heart. Mt. Ranier has always been known to her family as Momma’s mountain, and once the grandkids came, it became known as Granny’s mountain because Poppy gave it to her. She will forever hold the most precious space the hearts of her loved ones. Charlotte’s family would like to express gratitude to Madigan Army Hospital- ICU East, and Multi Care Home Health and Hospice for the love, care, and support that was not only given to Charlotte, but her family as well. A celebration of life will be held at her home on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, we are asking donations be made to the Puyallup Food Bank, 217 W Stewart Ave, Puyallup, WA 98371. “To the greatest love of our life, your journey is complete. Fly high with the angels”

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  • 06/30/2022

    Love you my sister. Say hi to momma and daddy and Lee. Until we meet again.

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