Mable Charlene Belden Schmidt Mortimer left her earthly home Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 101 years, 2 months and 4 days.

Charlene, as she liked to be called, was the second child of three and the first daughter born August 27, 1925, at Lenora, Kansas to Floyd James and Bertha May Milholland Belden. Her parents having moved there to help her Uncle Frame Belden and Aunt Mable with their dairy.

In 1926 Charlene and family moved from Lenora to Scottsville area.

As a student from first to eighth grade, she attended a one room schoolhouse. Her brother and her rode a quarter horse named Brownie, a mile and a half to Liberty School. She attended Glasco High School her freshman year, while staying with her grandma, Sarah Belden, after her grandpa Julius Belden passed away.

Charlene graduated from Beloit High School in 1943. She was named “Sparkle” by her High School principal. She served as hall monitor and was basketball queen her senior year. She was engaged to Lorn at 17, when he left for the war.

Charlene taught country school, starting in Jewell City, Kansas. She taught her students tumbling at recess, and they entered the “October Fest” amateur hour contest. She had to tell the audience she would have to do the part of an eighth grader who had the flu. They received a $25 dollar purse money. They all went to Mankato and took airplane rides without the parent’s approval. “Why didn’t they fire me?” She also taught one year as a fifth-grade teacher in Mankato.

Three years after graduation, Charlene Belden and Lorn B Schmidt were married, January 25, 1946, at the Christian Church Parsonage in Beloit, Kansas. To this union three children were born: Lorn Joe, Sherry, and Stan. Charlene spent her early married years milking 6 cows, feeding and raising her family, she became known for her cinnamon rolls and white bread. She received blue ribbons on her white bread for years at the Cloud County Fair.

Charlene’s husband passed away November 1993.

After a year and a half, friends persuaded Charlene to attend a dance with them at the Salina VFW, and she met a man. Three years later she married Robert M. Mortimer, September 4, 1998, at the Central Christian Church, Denver, Colorado gaining four stepchildren.

Living in Delphos and later Salina, they both enjoyed family and friends, dancing, traveling and attending grandkids and great grandkids activities.

Robert passed away June 2014, and Charlene moved back to Glasco from Salina, where she continued to live until her passing.

Survivors include; children Lorn J Schmidt (wife Jean) and Stan R Schmidt (wife Leann); step-children Emley (husband Tom) McGavran, Bob (wife Carol) Mortimer, Scott (wife Bev) Mortimer, and Craig (wife Beth) Mortimer; nine grandchildren: Justin (wife Darlene) Schmidt, Delane (husband Val) Huett, Lori Greenwood, Clayton (wife Melissa) Tatro, Beau (wife Stephanie) Tatro, Thayne (wife Misti) Tatro, Heath Schmidt (partner Joe Berger), Lacey Schmidt and Blane Schmidt. 17 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, 9 step-grandchildren, (18) step-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Bertha Belden, Lorn B. Schmidt first husband, Robert M. Mortimer second husband, daughter Sheryl (husband Francis) Tatro, brother Owen (wife Sara) Belden, sister Elizabeth (husband Glenn) Conner and one great-great-granddaughter Hope Dielmann.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, November 3, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Wilson Family Funeral Home, 405 Argyle Ave., Minneapolis, KS 67467. Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, November 4 at the First Christian Church, Glasco. Burial will be in the Glasco Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to NCK Down Syndrome, Glasco Community Foundation, or First Christian Church and may be left in care of the funeral home.