Charlotte was born October 15, 1918, to the parents of Frank and Mathilda (Bischel) Rowden in Marshalltown, Iowa. She graduated from Clemons High School in 1936. After high school, Charlotte followed in the footsteps of her mother by enrolling in the Evangelical Deaconess Hospital Nursing Program and graduated in 1940. She used her skills by enlisting in the United States Army Nursing Corp. Charlotte honorably served her country as a nurse stationed in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Fitzsimmon General Hospital in Denver, Colorado, and the 91st General Hospital in Oxford, England, where she cared for the wounded from D-Day until the conclusion of WWII. During her time in the military, she earned the rank of First Lieutenant and was awarded the American Defense Service Ribbon and EAME Theater Ribbon.

After the war, Charlotte married Frank Eugene Appelgate in Clemons, Iowa, on October 20, 1946. The two made their home in Marshalltown, Laurel and Garwin. They were blessed with four children and many grandchildren. In each community, Charlotte touched many lives through her church involvement. She enjoyed family, flowers, fishing and reading.

Left to cherish Charlotte’s life are her children: Craig (Mary) Appelgate, Brian (Janice) Appelgate and Kay (Ron) Riggins, grandchildren: Jonathan (Stephanie), David, Christina (Caleb), Moriah, Leah, Emily, Luke (Brittany), Chris and Amanda (Dru); great-grandchildren: Gabriel, Nora and Olivia. Also surviving is Charlotte’s sister Pat Booth and sister-in-law Mildred Rowden.

Charlotte is preceded in death by her husband Eugene; son Paul; brother Joseph; sister Kathleen and parents Frank and Mathilda.

Memorials may be directed to Marshalltown Community College Foundation, 3700 S. Center Street, Marshalltown, Iowa, 50158, to the Charlotte Appelgate Fund for Nursing.