Charlotte Ann Bennett Eilts

Charlotte Ann Bennett Eilts, age 78 of Bridgewater, SD, went home to our Lord and Savior on November 11, 2021. Charlotte was born on November 3rd, 1943 to Ross and Fran Bennett in Spencer, SD. Charlotte graduated from Spencer High School and Dakota Wesleyan College with a teaching degree. In 1966, she married her high school sweetheart Larry Eilts on September 17th and moved to Bridgewater, SD where they raised their 4 children.

Charlotte had a strong faith in Jesus Christ. She lived out her faith by dedicating her life to serving others, caring for aging parents and friends, and serving her church communities in Spencer and Bridgewater throughout her life. She served in the church from an early age by playing the organ, singing, directing the choir, making meals, and just being a servant leader. She taught elementary classes and music in area schools and helped to run the veterinary office for decades.
Charlotte’s love of music spanned her entire life - the first time she sang at a wedding was at the age of 6! She taught piano and voice lessons, played the organ, and sang for church services, weddings, Christmas programs, and cantatas. She has passed her love of music on to her children and grandchildren.
Charlotte blessed others with her love for baking and making candy. Some of her specialties were Bananas Foster, chocolates, and cream cheese mints. The list of goodies she baked was endless.
Above all else, Charlotte will be remembered for how special she made those in her life feel. Her mission was to bring joy and happiness to her kids and grandkids. If one of her children had a bad day, she knew exactly how to cheer them up “with a special surprise”. Every get-together, especially the holidays, was memorable and filled with plenty of treats.
Cherished memories with Charlotte will include camping, vacations in St. Maarten, “camp cousin” (where everyone felt like the best one ever), Christmas Eve, family reunions, and all the ordinary days she touched.
Charlotte is preceded in death by many loving family and friends; her mother (Frances), father (Ross) and step-father (Bill), mother-in-law (Myrtle) and father-in-law (Edwin), two brothers-in-law (Don, Jon), and one sister- in -law (Janice) and grandchild (Vanessa). She is survived by her husband (Larry Eilts), her 4 children Kim (Doug), Korie (Chad), Stephanie (Jay), Cameron (Janel), 13 grandchildren Sierra (Patrick), Riley (Kristina), Abby (Tanner), Cassidy (Griffin), Hannah, Jacob, Gavin, Brody, Shaun, Zachary, Stein, Vale, and Sloan, and 1 great-grandchild (Charlotte), as well as her 3 siblings Elaine, Ron (LeEtta), Dennis, and in-laws Leonard (Arlys), Melvin (Betty), and Peggy.