Charlotte Marie Girdner

Charlotte Marie was born on May 12, 1936 in Clarksdale, Arizona, one of five children, born to James Donshay and Violet Marie (Pray) Coon.  She was raised and educated in Arizona, graduating from the Clarksdale High School class of 1954.  Charlotte met Robert James "Bob" Girdner while he was serving in the U.S. Army in the Korean war.  They corresponded throughout his tour of duty.  After his honorable discharge he returned to Arizona and married Charlotte on November 24, 1956 in Cottonwood.  They bought a ranch they called HVH Ranch (High Valley Herefords) in high valley above Cove and settled there in 1965.  While Bob had many careers while ranching, Charlotte was the partner, ranch wife, mother and homemaker.  

Charlotte was active in the PTA when her children were in school. She was a volunteer at the Cove Library as well as secretary of "Women's Aglow".  She enjoyed oil painting, knitting, crocheting and cross stitch.

Relatives who remain are her children, RuthAnn Zigler of Sandpoint, ID, Sharon and her husband Robert Markum of Cove, Nancy Acord of Prineville, Stephen and his wife Cathryn of La Grande, 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, a sister Shirley Hill of Cottonwood, AZ.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter Esther Marie Briney, a son Daniel Girdner and an infant son Robert Paul Girdner, two great-grandchildren, three siblings and her husband of 66 years, Robert "Bob" Girdner who died in 2023.

Charlotte passed away Monday, April 20, 2026 at her home near Cove at the age of 89.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 24, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cove Cemetery.  

Contributions in memory of Charlotte Girdner may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association at MDA.org.