Charlotte Ward

Charlotte Elizabeth Ward

September 22, 1933 – October 16, 2026

Charlotte Elizabeth Ward, 93, of Gordon, Nebraska, passed away on October 16, 2026.

Charlotte was born on September 22, 1933, in Rapid City, South Dakota, to Viola Agnes Hartman

and William Sheffer.

The first time Charlotte saw Harry William Ward, he was driving a military bus. She turned to her

friend and declared, “That’s the man I’m going to marry!” They later met at a dance, and the rest,

as they say, is history. Charlotte and Harry were married on September 29, 1951, in Lucedale,

Mississippi. They had two children, Debra and Kenneth.

Family was the focal point of Charlotte’s life. She treasured family gatherings and reunions,

spending time with her grandchildren, and, when she could no longer go out, visits from her

family.

Charlotte’s passion in life was genealogy. She enjoyed spending time in cemeteries, carefully

recording information from headstones. Many picnics included time for Charlotte to wander

among the headstones, searching for names and family connections. Through this work, she

helped preserve the names, stories, and family histories of generations past.

Charlotte also found joy in knitting and worked in a knit shop while living in Alaska. She loved

creating sweaters and blankets, each made with care. Her granddaughters especially remember

the knitted washrags she made for them—simple, thoughtful gifts that brought a little of her love

into their everyday lives.

Her family includes her children, Debra (David) Cassatt and Kenneth Ward of Gordon, Nebraska;

her brother, Fred Sheffer of Fairfield, California; and her grandchildren, Stacey (Shawn) Grant of

Alliance, Nebraska; Holly (Gus) Schwaderer of Garden City, Kansas; Shauna (Aaron) Branstiter of

Alliance, Nebraska; Heidi (Zachary) Small of Lincoln, Nebraska; Charlotte Hockett of Long Beach,

California; and Wendy (Joel) Thorsen of Gordon, Nebraska.

Her great-grandchildren include William (Jamie) Grant of San Diego, California; Sariah Mickey and

Emme (Mario) Garza, both of Alliance, Nebraska; Brenden Schwaderer and Levi Schwaderer, both

of Wichita, Kansas; Morgen Schwaderer of Garden City, Kansas; Caitlin Hockett and Cody Hockett,

both of Bueno Park, California; Caleb Servin, Camryn Servin, Caiden Servin, Cianne Servin,

Canyon Servin, and Halo, all of Gordon, Nebraska; Brooklyn Branstiter of Kearney, Nebraska;

Landyn Branstiter of Belle Fourche, South Dakota; Benjamin Cassatt-Reina of Fort Bragg, North

Carolina; and Mia Reina, Jayden Cassatt-Steele, Freya Small, and Sawyer Small, all of Lincoln,

Nebraska.

Her great-great-grandchildren include Anaya White, Khylin Mickey, and Oliver Garza, all of

Alliance, Nebraska; Korbin Kilgore and Karsten Kilgore, both of San Diego, California; and Nizayah

Servin of Alliance, Nebraska.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her husband, Harry; her mother, Viola; her father, William; her

brother, Gene; her sister, Barbara; and her beloved dog, Buddy, who was always by her side or

snuggled on her lap.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter-day Saints, 151 N. Willow Street, Gordon, Nebraska.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Gordon

Cemetery. A light luncheon will follow at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 151 N.

Willow Street, Gordon, Nebraska.

Flowers may be sent to Chamberlain Funeral Home in Chadron, Nebraska