Charlotte Lobitz, age 96, died on April 22nd in Mt Horeb, WI. Charlotte worked in the Carleton Library from 1971 to 1985, starting as an Assistant in Technical Services and then becoming an Associate in Public Services and Reserves, where she worked closely with faculty members and her crew of student employees. She had boundless energy, sharing her positive and honest outlook with others. At library coffee breaks, the staff often benefited from her delicious baked goods and stories about her mother, children, grandchildren, and garden.
Charlotte led a remarkable life. She was born in East Prussia, married a handsome soldier (Heinz Lobitz, who worked as a Carleton carpenter from 1955-1983), and escaped the advancing Russian army on foot with a newborn to displaced persons’ camps. The family immigrated to the U.S. in 1955, settling in Northfield. In each place she lived, Charlotte grew gardens, instilled a sense of adventure, and welcomed all.
Services for Charlotte will be held at a later date. See the full obituary for Charlotte “Buddy” Lobitz.
Comments
Charlotte and Heinz were wonderful neighbors, they on East 6th and we perpendicular on Union Street. Charlotte worked a 10-month contract and spent her summers cultivating an amazing garden. Heinz built her a screened gazebo where she played bridge with her friends and listened to Twins baseball games. I learned from Charlotte how to plant a cold frame packed with seedlings, which were then planted bare root into the garden. She specialized in kohlrabi and generously shared many seedlings with me. Their granddaughter Teak visited in the summers and became good friends with our daughter of about the same age. We were sorry when they moved to WI in retirement, it pleased for them that they were nearer family. We heard through the grapevine that Charlotte celebrated her 80th birthday by sky diving for the first time. Ever the inspiration!
Charlotte was a beloved library staff member. With her incredible energy, fun-loving spirit, and scrumptious baking skills, she was the ring-leader of staff breaks and get-togethers. No library birthday celebration was complete without Charlotte leading the staff in "Happy Birsday." She cared deeply about those she worked with as well as her family. We got to know her family by the stories she told about her mother, children, and grandchildren. Although she faced hard times during WWII, she and Heinz created a wonderful life at Carleton and in Northfield.