March 14, 2012

Dena Charchenko

Dena Charchenko was born on May 7, 1917, to Stephen and Irene Boychenko. She was raised on a farm near Grassy Butte, North Dakota. As a child, she loved to ride her horse in the Badlands nearby.
Dena met her husband, Sam Charchenko, at a dance. They both loved to dance, especially the waltz. Married, they resided in Grassy Butte, where they owned and operated the Standard service station and blacksmith shop. They left Grassy Butte after several years and moved to Watford City, N.D., where they also owned a service station. In addition, Dena worked part-time at a department store.
The family then moved to Montana, where Dena was employed at the University of Montana Food Service, eventually moving back to Watford City after 10 years. Dena was a member of First Lutheran Church. She always enjoyed crocheting afghans, embroidery, sewing, cooking and baking. Dena and her husband, Sam, were married for 59 years.
After Sam’s death in 1997, Dena moved to Littleton Colo., where she passed away on March 11, 2012. A graveside service will be held at a later date in Watford City, N.D.  
Dena is survived by one sister Pauline Bray, Santa Fe, N.M.; two daughters, Diana (Dennis) Pederson, Littleton, Colo., and Gayle (Eugene) Gunderson Watford City N.D.; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Sam; son, Robert; four brothers and two sisters.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER