Obituary/Charlotte Ann Sys, 83

Charlotte Ann Sys was born in Minot, North Dakota on November 1, 1942 to Joseph and Elsa (Pfefferkorn) Pederson. As the oldest of six, she was instrumental in her formative years shouldering the weight of housework and helping raise her younger siblings. She graduated with the class of 1960 from Minot High School. Charlotte married her high school sweetheart Bennie Sys at a courthouse in Baumholder, Germany on February 22, 1961, while Bennie was serving in the US Army during the Cold War. They enjoyed a honeymoon visiting Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Austria. When Bennie was discharged from the military, they returned to Minot for several years before permanently relocating to Karlstad, MN, in 1969. It was there where they raised 5 children on a farmstead east of town. Charlotte enjoyed the quiet, country life where hobbies included gardening, painting, sewing, cooking, pottery, antique collecting, and nature. One of her greatest and simplest loves was watching the different birds and wildlife at the feeders outside of the kitchen windows. Along with the day-to-day chores of the farm, Charlotte was also a 4-H leader, volunteered with the nonprofit group Ladies’ Aid, assisted with potato harvest, sold Avon products, worked at Arctic Cat in Karlstad for a period, and was highly involved at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School and enjoyed potlucks and other activities with her church community. In later years, Charlotte discovered a passion for creating miniature porcelain dolls. After learning the craft from the owner of a doll-making business in Lake Bronson, she eventually purchased the business when it relocated to Hallock and proudly operated Mainstreet Reflections for many years. Her attention to detail and artistic talent were reflected in the beautiful dolls she created. She later sold her business to enjoy retirement and later enjoyed working part-time at Honker Flats Garden Center near Middle River. Charlotte loved hosting family gatherings and following her grandchildren’s various activities. She was an avid follower of NASCAR. She had a deep loyalty and love for her family, friends, community, and God. She peacefully passed away at age 83 at the North Star Manor in Warren, MN, on June 16, 2026, surrounded by her 5 children.

She is preceded in death by her husband Bennie Sys; father Joseph Pederson, mother and step-father Elsa and Lester Seth; sister Carol Dewey; brother Alan Pederson; and daughter-in-law Norene Sys.

She is survived by her five children: Terry Sys of Hines, MN; Robert Sys of Badger, MN; Stacy (Brian) Novak of Brandon, MN; Cory (Penny) Sys of Karlstad; and Karianne (Seth) Hardmeyer of Frazee, MN; siblings Joel (Christine) Pederson, George (Betty) Pederson & Kenneth (Anne) Pederson. Her grandchildren: Jessica (Nicholas) Delaney; Wayne (Jessica) Sys; Heather Sys; Lisa Kaasa; Grace (Andy) Nissen; Ben (Kathleen) Preston; Rebecca (Tom) Schaefer; Chris (Taylor) Novak; Austin (Janie) Novak; Daniel (Drew) Novak; Leighton Sys (Kayla); Kadey Sys; Faith (Kyle) Kern; Hannah (Carson) Alger; Colton Conway (Katie) ; and Lillian Adams (Andrew). And great-grandchildren: Destiny, Jaxon, and Aurora; Kody, Lillie-Jo, and Jake; Devon and Chad; Austin, Kristin, and Dustin; Vanessa; John, James, Joseph and Jace; Kaleisha; Faith and Landin; Blair, Avril, Vincent, Marni, and Killian; Gianna and Vincenzo; and Hadley and Landon. Great-great grandchildren: Terrance, Elena, Saphira, Nora and Alora.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 27th at the Karlstad Baptist Church in Karlstad, MN, at 11:00AM. 

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church.

Interment services will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery of rural Greenbush.

Arrangements are with Collins Funeral Home, Karlstad, MN

An on-line quest book is available at www.collinsfunerals.com.