OLATHE — Charlette J. Holt, 88, of Olathe, Kan., passed away peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. Charlette was born July 6, 1936, in Meade, Kan., to Arthur and Opal (Truex) Handy and was one of seven children. She graduated from Fowler High School in 1954 where she met the love of her life, Jack Holt. She completed her nurse’s training at Mercy School of Nursing in Fort Scott, Kan. Charlette and Jack were married in Liberal, Kan., on Dec. 27, 1957, and celebrated 60 years of marriage before his passing in 2018. She worked as a nurse while Jack completed medical school at the University of Kansas during the early years of their marriage. They moved to Wichita, Kan., for his residency, and ultimately settled in Great Bend, Kan., where they raised their five children. They later returned to Wichita and moved to Lenexa, Kan. in 2014. 

In addition to nursing, Charlette undertook careers later in life, including selling real estate for both Keenan Real Estate in Great Bend and later Weigand Real Estate in Wichita. Charlette had many talents and especially enjoyed sewing and crafting. She began her own business as an entrepreneur in creating Jayhawk and Wildcat mascot heads that were sold in college bookstores and can still be spotted being worn by fans today. She enjoyed sewing costumes and other items for her children and grandchildren. She learned sculpting later in life and created several beautiful Father Christmases.

But her greatest calling was motherhood and supporting her children, whether it be serving as a cub scout den mother, driving hundreds of miles to deliver ball teams to games and debaters to tournaments, or cheering on her children and grandchildren at their various events. 

Charlette was a member of St. Patrick’s Parish in Great Bend, St. Thomas Aquinas in Wichita, and Holy Trinity in Lenexa. She was a member of Chapter DU P.E.O  in Great Bend and Chapter I-EW in Wichita. She was chairman of the Great Bend Recreation Commission for several years and volunteered for numerous organizations. She taught catechism classes at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Great Bend and was the RCIA coordinator for 19 years at St. Thomas Aquinas in Wichita. She and Jack were active in the Serra Club of Wichita.

Charlette is survived by her children John (Suzy) Holt of Leawood, Kan., Elizabeth (Paul) Jantsch of Asheville, N.C., Tom (Mindy) Holt of Baldwin City, Kan., Mary (Vic) Adamle of Woodbury, Minn., and daughter-in-law Tammy Holt of Great Bend, Kan. Other survivors include her grandchildren Jack (Emily) Holt, Katie (Chad) Moes, Brett (Leslie) Holt, Brad (Jordan) Holt, Allan (Larissa) Holt, Carrie (James) Leonard, Lauren (Mike) Britton, Megan (Javier) Trujillo, Evan (Meghan) Captain, Alex Holt, Amy (David) Kaske, Tony Adamle, Joey Adamle, 23 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; her son Robert; her parents; and her siblings. 

Visitation will be from 9:30-10 a.m., Rosary prayed at 10 a.m., followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 13, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 13615  W. 92nd, Lenexa, KS. Burial in Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kan. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Sister Servants of Mary, Kansas City, Kan.

, or the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas seminarian education fund. If sending a check, please make it out to Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas with Education of Priests & Seminarians Burse Endowment in the memo along with a note stating it is a memorial donation in memory of Charlette Holt and send to Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas, 12615 Parallel Pkwy, Kansas City, KS 66109.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Porter Funeral Home

8535 Monrovia

Lenexa, KS 66215

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 14, 2025