Charlene Charli Marie Mortensen Wetzel The family of Charli Wetzel is heartbroken to announce she passed from this life on Monday, April 10, 2017 due to complications from a series of strokes. Charli was born February 13, 1960, in Owatonna, MN, to Donald W. Mortensen and Jurene (Jeri) Kruger Mortensen. Two years later, the family moved to Shelbyville, Tennessee, and then later to Souderton, Pennsylvania, following her Dad's career as an engraver for Josten's. Charli graduated from Pennridge High School, Perkasie, PA, in 1978. Charli worked for Bergey's Tire and Automotive in Franconia, PA, for several years. She moved back to Owatonna in 1985 and worked for Truth Hardware. Until the time of her illness, she was the office manager for Minus 20 Transportation, LLC. Charli had a love and a talent for the arts. When line dancing was popular, Charli became a teacher. She created beautiful oil and acrylic paintings, pen and ink drawings, and fine pencil renderings. She mastered calligraphy. She enjoyed the work of many poets, especially Kahlil Gibran, which inspired her to write her own poetry. Charli was an accomplished seamstress, which led her to become an artist at quilting. She blessed many people who held a special place in her heart with her beautiful creations and her sock monkeys. Charli's art will live beyond our memories. Charli shared her life with many animals throughout her years and was a best friend to all the family pets. A recent photo shows her laughing and cuddling with an 80 lb. foster dog on her lap. Charli was a strong presence in our lives, and the first person to be there if anybody in the family was hurting. She was preceded in death by her father, Don Mortensen; unborn daughter, Rebecca; grandparents, Leon and Myrtle Mortensen, and Willard and Verna Kruger; uncles, Robert Mortensen and John Kruger. She is survived by her mother, Jeri Mortensen; brother, Stuart Mortensen; sister, Jolene Mortensen; aunts, Bonnie Mortensen, Jackie Kruger, and Julie Kruger; nieces and nephews; and many friends who loved and laughed with her. Visitation will be held from 4-7pm on Thursday, April 13th and 9:30-10:30am on Friday, April 14th all at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30am Friday, April 14th at Michaelson Funeral Home. A private burial will be held at a later date in Owatonna Memorial Gardens. Visitation: 04/13/2017 16:00 04/13/2017 19:00 Service: 04/14/2017 10:30