Charlotte Louise (Engen) Colliton was born in Maddock, ND on February 7th, 1937 to Alice (Hoff) and Elmer Engen. She was the middle of three children, her older brother Clayton (Sonny), and baby sister Emily. About junior high, the family moved to Fargo where she graduated from Fargo High in 1955 and in September of that year married Jim Colliton at Sisseton, SD. They lived in Los Angeles for a time before returning "home" to Fargo. Charlotte was not a perfect person, she had some flaws, a vice or two and more than a little Scarlett O'Hara attitude. Aside from that, Charlotte was generous, had a fantastic sense of humor, quick to laugh, and always made things exciting. She was an incredible cook, who loved to entertain and was an accomplished artist in oils and acrylics. Charlotte's circle of friends was small but well chosen and always life-long.

Jim and Charlotte raised two children together, Kevin and Patricia (Patty Kay). After several moves in and around the Twin Cities, Red Wing, MN, and Bismarck, ND, they retired back to Fargo. Jim passed away in 2007. A short time after her brother, Sonny passed away, Charlotte moved to Hettinger, ND to live on the farm with her daughter Pat, son-in-law Rob Buckmier and their three children, Mack, Tom and Ali. "Grandma's House" became a sanctuary for the grand-children to escape chores, eat ice cream and watch movies. Charlotte vehemently denied the process of aging and death and instead would simply refer to it as "when they quit coming to family dinner". So, on February 16th, with her daughter and beloved sister Emily by her side, Charlotte quit coming to dinner.

A private graveside service will be held in Hettinger where she will be laid to rest next to her husband.

Charlotte leaves behind her dear sister, Emily, son, Kevin, daughter Pat, very special son-in-law Rob and cherished grandchildren, Mack, Tom and Ali Buckmier.