Charlotte Menzel, Mahtomedi's own angel

Those who knew Charlotte Menzel claim they had an angel in their midst.

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: November 10, 2009 - 9:14 PM

Those who knew Charlotte Menzel claim they had an angel in their midst.

"She was the Mother Teresa of Mahtomedi," said her brother Richard, of Blaine. "I was fortunate to have a sister who was that way, and so were the people who had her in their lives."

She was found dead at her Dellwood home on Oct. 28. She was 68.

Her volunteer service included Meals on Wheels, the Mahtomedi Area Food Shelf, Family Means of Stillwater, the Neighbors Helping Neighbors thrift store, the Mahtomedi public school and her church. She served with the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, worked as an election judge and twice portrayed Mrs. Claus during Christmas parties for disadvantaged youths.

She also was active in the Minnesota Historical Society, the Washington County Horticultural Society, the Minnesota Native Plant Society and volunteered at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Victoria, the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park in St. Paul and Presbyterian Homes in Roseville. Former Gov. Arne Carlson gave her a plaque for her volunteer work, her family said.

"Her connection through gardening and horticulture was a huge part of her social structure and life," said Chuck Levine, a longtime board member of the Minnesota Historical Society.

"She was an amazing, warm, kind and generous person."

Her expansive garden was featured in the book "Minnesota Gardens," said her sister-in-law, Patty Thomson. It was common for guests who came calling to leave with trays of seedlings and plant divisions.

Born in St. Paul, Menzel graduated from Johnson High School and studied home economics at the University of Minnesota. She lived her entire adult life in Dellwood.

"She seldom watched TV; instead she invested her time in others," her brother said.

In addition to her brother Richard, Menzel is survived by her husband, David, of Dellwood; a son, Greg, of Eagan; a daughter, Krista Menzel, of St. Paul, and another brother, Jim, of Champlin.

Services have been held.

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