Charlene was born and raised in the Laurel, IA, area, the daughter of Edward “Ted” and Leora (Allen) Vande Kamp. She attended the University of Iowa and there met her college sweetheart Dayton Perry; they married in 1961 and began a long career of traveling and shopping. They traveled and Char shopped in Canada, China, Italy, Germany, South Korea, Thailand, Mexico and South Africa, to name a few.

The Perrys settled in Minnesota and there raised their two children. Char enjoyed a 25-year career with ADP (Automatic Data Processing); many of her closest friends date from those working days. Upon retirement, they moved full-time to the sunshine of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Char was passionate about many things, but family, friends, purses, shoes, cooking, chocolate, doughnuts and later quilting were among her favorites. Her children and grandchildren all have quilts she made for them.

Charlene leaves behind her husband of 59 years, Dayton E. Perry Jr.; daughter Deanna (Tony) Shelton, of Bloomington, MN, and son Michael (Leslie) Perry, of Auburn, AL; three grandchildren: Dennard Shelton, Damon Shelton and Justus Perry; three brothers: Norman, Terry and Gerald Vande Kamp and their families; and many longtime friends.

Memorial contributions may be directed to a charity of choice or be shared with local healthcare providers.