Charlotte (Forde) Raetz age 74 of Belle Fourche, died Wednesday February 14, 2007 at the Spearfish Regional Hospital in Spearfish.

The funeral service will be held 10:30 am Tuesday at the Christian Life Center in Belle Fourche, with Rev. Paul Howard officiating. Visitation will be held 3 to 7 pm Monday at the Funeral Home of the Northern Hills (their new location on National Street) in Belle Fourche, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be held at Black Hills National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society.

Charlotte Darlene Forde was born May 27, 1932 in Belle Fourche. She was the daughter of Walter and Edith (Minnie) Forde. Charlotte grew up in Belle Fourche where she graduated from high school in 1950. On March 3rd, 1951 she was married to Richard Raetz at Fort Bragg North Carolina. Following their marriage, Richard left for Germany during the Korean War and they were separated for a period of time. In 1960 together they moved overseas while Richard worked for Halliburton Oil. For 23 years they raised their family in various countries including Libya, Iran, England, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and others. In 1983 they returned to America and settled in Houston Texas. In 1988 they retired to Spearfish, and later back to their hometown of Belle Fourche.

Char will be remembered for her sense of humor and how she enjoyed making people laugh. She was a wonderful hostess and was very meticulous about certain things. She was a devoted wife and mother who took good care of her family. She also was a woman of faith and truly loved her Lord and Savior very much. This past October, Char was diagnosed with cancer and during this time she has displayed tremendous character. Her positive attitude, faith and trust, and continuing care for others never diminished. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Charlotte is survived by her husband, Richard of Belle Fourche; son, Curtis (LuAnn) of McKinney Texas; daughter, Kimberly Barton of Houston Texas; 5 grandchildren, Brandy and Richard Barton, Stephen, Katherine, and Will Raetz; 3 great grandchildren, Mikayla, Jackson, and Emma; brother, Jerry (Amelia) Forde of Sundance WY; sister, Bonnie Ginsbach of Belle Fourche; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Stanley Forde; and sister, Bobbie Miller.

May God Bless the Memory of Charlotte (Forde) Raetz.