Char Lea was born October 22, 1976 to Kathy and Charlie Barney.

They lived in rural Amery, Wisc. Char's brother, Jason, was about three years older. A sweet little baby girl. Now and then she had bouts of colic that shortened her mom and dad's sleep but grew out of that phase. Since their home was close to Grandpa Bruner's farm, not far from Grandma Ione and Grandpa John Barney's farm and close to many aunts and uncles, she was surrounded by lots of family and friends. Char was baptized and confirmed at the Elim Lutheran Church in Range. Grandma Barney sewed countless outfits for her little granddaughter. They enjoyed many days together. Char attended and graduated from Amery high school in 1994 then ventured out and found an apartment in town. Her first job was at Amery Constant Care nursing home as a dietary aide. It was not uncommon for Char to go out of her way accommodating personal food requests. It didn't take long for word about this gesture of kindness to spread. It was during this time that Char drove into the parking lot one afternoon to show off her very first car wanting to take Aunt Rose for a ride. She was so proud and it was a beauty. It is important to mention that somewhere along the way prior to this, Char had acquired the nickname "Babe" by her aunties. It is just seemed to fit. Now and then she would be jokingly teased about it but Babe stuck in the minds of her mom and aunties. Her second job was a dietary aide as well at The Golden Age Manor continually becoming more familiar with food preparation and customer service.

Char had an ARTSIE uniqueness in most every aspect of her life. Being particular about her clothes, hair styles, aromas like incense, sprays, wax melts and a wide range of music to name a few. She often leaned towards red and black with blue jeans. Char's outstanding scrapbooks were very artistically detailed. A flower child Hippy in her own time. Another special interest was fishing. The first and favorite rod was a UGLY STIK hooking up with many largemouth bass. She wouldn't miss watching the Olympic Games and scouted out genuine Olympic hats/berets also kept an eye open for baseball caps or stocking caps.

Babe's October 22nd birthdays were often celebrated with the six aunties at Calderwood. The restaurant was always decorated for Halloween and each staff member dressed in costume. There was laughter, stories, gifts, wonderful food and at the end of every dinner one single shot of Drambuie would be sipped and passed around the table. We called it "The HANKY" toast to Babe. It is just another example of how a tradition can begin and continue.

There were two beautiful kittens named River and Rain. They loved her as much as she loved them. Many friendships were made from her early childhood well into her adult life. Dale Bergstad was a treasured part of her life. She was a tender, gentle soul, thoughtful, generous and had a gift of lighthearted, witty conversation followed by a genuine smile. Like most humans, Char traveled down her own particular path in life with ups and downs. Char's best friend was her mother, Kathy. When she was a little girl spending an overnighter with Aunt Rose, they watched the movie "Ann of Green Gables". Since then they decided to call each other "Kindred Spirits". She remains a "Kindred Spirit" available to anyone.

Char was preceded in death by her Grandparents Glen and Norma Bruner, Grandparents John and Ione Barney and Uncle Melvin Barney.

She is survived by her mother Kathy (Harvey) Letson, of Amery WI, father Charles (Karen) Barney, of Clear Lake WI, brother Jason (Jodi) of Clear Lake. Aunts Janet (John) Smith, Jean Bruner, Rosie (Rick) Stener, Susie Lindholm (John Salwei), Sheri (Bob) Rassmussen, Kathy (Dennis) Nelson, Uncle Jim Barney, Cousins Matthew (Janelle) Smith, Jenny (Nick) Eastman, Lee Coleman, Kent (Wendy) Coleman, Stacy (Danny) Matson, Jeremy (Janelle) Paulson, Garrison (Kirsten) Lindholm, Josh (Kim) Gould, Jacob (Erin) Gould, Laura (Ryan) Carlson, Matthew (Amber) Barney, Richie Nelson.

A visitation to celebrate Char’s life will take place on Monday, February 6, 2023 from 4 to 7pm at the Williamson White Funeral Home in Amery.

Last Update: Feb 01, 2023 1:27 pm CST