Charlene C. Riegel, 86

Charlene C. Riegel, 86

Born July 29, 1934, in Jackson, Wyo., to Charles Cavett and Thelma Dixon Cummins, Charlene C. Riegel passed away Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, from natural causes in Spokane Valley, Wash.

After graduating from Jackson High School in her hometown of Jackson, Charlene met and married Melvin G. Long Jr. on March 21, 1954. Together, they ventured south where Charlene attended college at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, eventually completing her course of studies at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Wash.

In May 1973 through April 2016, Charlene made her home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where she met and married Donald G. Riegel on April 18, 1981. During her career, she worked as a secretary/receptionist until becoming an accountant in 1974 for Louisiana-Pacific Lumber Company in Hayden, Idaho, eventually retiring after 26 years in 1999.

Known as loyal, hardworking and dependable, Charlene was also actively involved in her community. She served as both president and district president in the Coeur d’Alene VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 889 and served in the top ranks as the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Idaho State President in 2003 through 2004.

Fun-loving with a good sense of humor, Charlene enjoyed boating, camping, traveling, listening to music, reading, gardening, sewing and knitting.

Charlene is survived by three daughters, Susan Mitchell and Lori DeCoff (Tim), both of Spokane Valley, and Cindy Long (Carl Schuler) of Woodinville, Wash.; one brother, Charles C. Cummins Jr. and family; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Riegel.

To share memories of Charlene and offer condolences to family, visit www.hennesseyvalley.com.