Charlene A. Hemphill

Charlene Hemphill, 82, of Strasburg, passed away on June 13, 2023, at University of Colorado Hospital. She was born January 13, 1941, in Pueblo to Charles and Sylvia (Fraterelli) Desiato Sr.

She married Delmer Hemphill on June 29, 1963, in Pueblo, who preceded her in death in 2004.

Charlene graduated from Pueblo Centennial High School in 1958, and then attended Pueblo Junior College and Colorado State College in Greeley, graduating in 1962 with a degree in elementary education. She later earned a master's degree in elementary reading education from the University of Northern Colorado. She worked as a teacher in Texas while Delmer served in the United States Navy. They moved back to Colorado after his discharge, and she taught at schools in Fort Lupton and Weldona before they moved to Strasburg in 1973, when Delmer was named principal at Strasburg Elementary School. She taught briefly at Bennett Elementary and worked for East Central BOCES before becoming a kindergarten teacher and reading specialist at Deer Trail Elementary, where she retired after 40 years in 2007.

She was a devoted mother, raising three children, and a 50-year member of Our Lady of the Plains Catholic Church in Byers as well as its Altar & Rosary Society. After her retirement, she spent her time coordinating the annual OLP Christmas Toy Shop, volunteering at Comanche Creek Historical Society in Strasburg and spending as much time as possible with her six grandchildren -- Josie, A.J., Maddie, Cade, Camryn and Brooklyn.

She is survived by her children and their spouses, Steven (Brenda) Hemphill of Salem, Va., Kevin (Karla) Hemphill of Strasburg, and Michelle (Barry) Forbis of Strasburg; brother Charles Desiato Jr. and sister-in-law Judy Desiato of Arvada, and sister-in-law Sandra Riggs of Grantville, Pa. Besides Del, she was preceded in death by her parents, and brother-in-law Cliff Riggs.

A Rosary and Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday 10:30 am, June 21, at Our Lady of the Plains Catholic Church and graveside burial service will be held at Imperial Gardens Cemetery in Pueblo at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 22. 2023

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Charlene's name to the OLP Christmas Toy Shop or the Comanche Creek Historical Society and Museum.