Charlotte A. O'Connor

Memorials may be directed to the Pipestone County Hospice House or the Alzheimer’s Association.

CHARLOTTE ANN O'CONNOR was born in Vermillion, South Dakota on January 9, 1926, to Thomas M. Kaltsulas and Lavina E. (Nelson) Kaltsulas. Her father was a Greek immigrant who owned and operated a number of businesses in Vermillion, South Dakota, that included a candy store and a restaurant with a bowling alley. Growing up, Charlotte helped in the restaurant as a waitress and cook. She admired her parents for their tenacity and perseverance. She graduated from Vermillion High School and continued her education at the University of South Dakota, graduating in 1948 with a B.S. in Education. Her love for learning and teaching could be seen in everything she did. She was a woman beyond her times and shared her wisdom often. On May 28, 1949, Charlotte Ann Kaltsulas married the love of her life, David O'Connor. Their 67-year relationship was one for the books. They shared and portrayed an authentic respect and admiration for one another. Throughout their marriage, they welcomed four children to whom Charlotte devoted her time. After graduation, she and David began teaching in Wallace, South Dakota. Following David's return from Korea, they moved to Jeffers, Minnesota, where she lovingly cared for the family. In 1965, the family moved to Pipestone, Minnesota, where David accepted a teaching position as an Industrial Arts instructor at Pipestone High School. While Charlotte focused on caring for the family, she also served many years as a substitute teacher at Pipestone High School.

On Friday, February 3, 2023, Charlotte died peacefully at the Pipestone County Hospice House at the age of 97 years and 25 days.

Her loving and caring presence in the lives of her four grandchildren was special. She loved those close to her fiercely. She was authentically her, calling it as it was and always sharing a direct and compassionate truth.

She is survived by Stephen (Bev) O'Connor of Rosemount, MN, Gregory O'Connor of Lenexa, KS, Elizabeth (special friend, Martie Garcia) O'Connor of Saint Paul, MN, and Letitia "Tish" (Tom) Abrahamson of Pipestone, MN; four grandchildren, David (Karen) Abrahamson, Sarah (Nick) Wagner, Mark (Santana) Abrahamson, Alex (Jessica) Abrahamson; and nine great-grandchildren, Charles and Lauren Wagner, Cole, Noah, and Connor Abrahamson, and Ellis, Rowynn, Miller, and Dekker-Charlotte Abrahamson. Charlotte is preceded in death by her husband; parents; her sister, Kathryn Masten; and brothers, Thomas Kaltsulas, Leon Kaltsulas, and infant brother, Christopher Kaltsulas.