Charmaine Baranowski, age 72, of Lansing, IL., passed away peacefully in her home on July 3, 2024. She was the loving wife of Paul Baranowski for over half a century. She was the loving mother of Jennifer (Tony) Kavaliunas, Elisa (Joel) Paris, Briana Clifton, and the baby, Katie Baranowski. She was the loving sister to Gary (Janet) Roeda and a wonderful aunt to Derek (Kathy) Roeda, Jackie (Matt) Nisly, Zach (Alli) Roeda, Jordin (Nick) Morales, and Rachell (Nate) Fowler. But most of all, she was an awesome and well-loved Grandma, or Hema as some of the grandkids called her, to Olivia, Jake, Isabella, Jackson, Elena, and Evan.

Charmaine was welcomed into heaven by her parents, Cornelius "Bud" and Betty Jane Roeda, and by her sister Sharon Mulder.

Char grew up in South Holland, IL., during the days when the town was mostly farmland. She would often tell us great stories of her childhood where she would go on adventures in the town so much so that her picture would often be featured in the town paper whenever there was a grand opening. It was in that same town that she would meet the love of her life, and best friend, Paul Baranowski. They became high school sweethearts until they were married in October of 1972. They recently celebrated their 51 st Anniversary together. Both Paul and Char were great examples of what selfless love should be. They showed this during their long and loving marriage by leaning on each other and always making each other laugh. During the time, before her first child, she loved working downtown at the Standard Oil building. After she became a stay-at-home mom, she welcomed a total of four girls, all born every two years. Because of her dedication as a mother, all four girls, plus additional neighborhood children, enjoyed summer days with the kiddie pool out back and popsicles in the yard, with spontaneous trips in the back of the green truck to Dairy Queen. She was also heavily involved in her church, Calvary Reformed Church in South Holland where she was a Calvinette Counselor, and eventually Head Counselor. After the baby turned sixteen, she went back into the workforce becoming the church's secretary. She loved sitting at the front desk where she could easily connect with people because of her easy-going nature. She enjoyed this until she moved to a social service agency, J.C.F.S. where she worked in Homewood, then Skokie, until she retired in 2020.

She enjoyed taking trips with the family to Door County through every season. Many great memories were made with the family in Wisconsin. She loved playing cards, having coffee with both friends and family where we would laugh, and just enjoy each other's company. She enjoyed cooking for her family while she listened to Christmas music (didn't matter the season) or Dean Martin. Her easy-going attitude and smile were contagious to everyone around her.

When we often had a worry or struggle, she would easily talk us through it with wisdom, love, and her good attitude about life. Nothing was ever that bad to Charmaine and seeing that attitude helped so many people through rough times. She loved spending time with her kids and grandchildren; having a very close and special relationship with each one. She was so proud of each of us girls and every grandchild. We were all so very blessed to have her as a wife, mother, grandmother and friend. The fun times, laughs, advice, and love will be imprinted on our hearts forever.

She was truly the heart of our family and will forever be missed. Even though we mourn her passing, we know that we will be joined with her once again in heaven.

A Celebration of her Life will be held for Char on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Schroeder-Lauer Funeral Home, 3227 Ridge Road, Lansing, IL. Her funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 the next day at 10:00 am followed by a graveside service at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Lansing.