Charlotte F. Ladwig

Charlotte Franceen Peterson Arett Ladwig, of Pelican Rapids, MN, passed away Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at the age of 81 at the Sanford Medical Center of Fargo, ND.

Charlotte was born on July 25, 1941 in McLaughlin, SD to Mabel (Rustad) and Clifford (Pete) Peterson. In 1949, after her parents’ divorce, Charlotte moved to Moorhead, MN with her father and her sister Beverly. She graduated from Moorhead High School in 1959.  As a student, Charlotte enjoyed many creative activities including tap-dancing and performing as lead majorette in the marching band. She also enjoyed playing the piano, the violin, and the accordion.

In 1960, Charlotte married Daniel (Dan) Charles Arett in Moorhead, where they made a home for themselves and their six daughters. In addition to being a homemaker, Charlotte taught tap-dancing and had a cake decorating business. Prior to Dan’s death in 1979, he and Charlotte owned and managed rental property and undertook a variety of major home remodeling projects. They loved to socialize and visit relatives. They also went on family camping trips until they purchased a cottage on Prairie Lake near Pelican Rapids, MN.

On her birthday in 1980, Charlotte was united in marriage to Duane Henry Ladwig. Along with his four children, they raised their blended family in the Moorhead area until moving to Fairmount, ND in 1986 when they purchased a grocery store. Charlotte also continued to teach tap-dancing, acted in local theater plays, and was involved in the Methodist Church. In 1990, they made their permanent home on Prairie Lake.

At age 50, Charlotte began achieving a lifelong goal by enrolling in Fergus Falls Community College, where she earned her Associate of Arts degree. She subsequently worked at the college in the Office of Student Administration until her retirement. Charlotte enjoyed traveling, doll collecting, card-crafting, and spending time with family and friends.

Charlotte is survived by her daughters Jacqueline (Butch Benson) Arett, Rebecca (Dale) Walker, Deborah (Ted Karle) Arett, Christine (Ryan) Giddings, Jennifer Arett (John) Albrecht, and Danielle (Joshua Dick) Arett; step-children Kevin Ladwig, Jess (Sharon) Ladwig, Becky (Les) Stenerson and Scott Ladwig; grandchildren Hilari Copeland, Anissa Larson, Brandon Krogh, Casey Krogh, Chase Walker, Haley Walker, Alicia (Karle) Saitta, Lyndsey (Karle) Phan, Justin Ladwig, Joshua Stenerson, Moriah (Ladwig) Robason, Brianna Ladwig, Jacob Stenerson, Branden Ladwig, Zachary Ladwig and Tanner Ladwig; many great- and great-great-grandchildren; brother Marvin (Sonny) Peterson; and many loving nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her husbands Daniel Arett and Duane Ladwig; parents Mabel Demers and Clifford Peterson; step-father Frank Demers; siblings Gerald Peterson, Marlys Barnett, Nancy Dobson, Bruce Peterson and Beverly Wood; grandson Chad Krogh; son-in-law Russell Powers; and many loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family invites you to share memories and celebrate Charlotte’s life at RiverHaven Events Center, 700 1st Ave N, Moorhead, MN on Thursday, September 29 at 1:00 pm, with a light luncheon to follow.