The Excelsior Standard, Apr. 28, 2023

Willa “Charlene” Wisniewski, 79, passed away on April 2, 2023, from complications of a longstanding illness.

Willa Wisniewski

Charlene (a.k.a., “Wiz”) was born on April 15, 1943, in Atlantic, Iowa, to William Chester Smithers and Mildred Irene Pulliam Smithers. She attended high school in Chillicothe, where she excelled in academics and music. Charlene graduated from Central Missouri State University (CMSU), where she met her future husband, Louis Joseph Wisniewski. They married on Aug. 15, 1964. She later received her master’s degree in guidance counseling from CMSU.

“Wiz” was a teacher, counselor, mother, grandmother and friend. She taught science and English in the public schools in Excelsior Springs for many years. Some of her fondest memories involved students she had throughout the years, as well as the time she had spent coaching the high school dance team, the Tigerettes.

Charlene enjoyed music. She was an amazing cook and enjoyed spending time with friends and family.

Charlene was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Louis Wisniewski; her parents; and her sister, Mayetta Norlene Laffey.

She is survived by her daughters, Kimberly Anne Carrington (Edward Moore) of Lake Stevens, Wash., and Kerri Luann Wisniewski of Liberty; her precious grandson, Jackson Blake Carrington; and many nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

Family and friends will remember Charlene with a memorial and celebration of life on a later date.