Charlotte Cohen

Charlotte Cohen Charlotte Lillian Stern passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 24th, 2022. She would be the first one to tell you that she had a great life. Never had a serious illness. She was born January 3, 1932 in Milwaukee at home to Rose and Leo Stern. She was the second child, born after Joseph. Later to come was Martin and last Samuel. Attended grade school at Garfield St. School and Ninth St. School, later graduating from North Division HS in 1949. As a young girl, Charlotte was often asked by her mother on a Friday to go to Bloom's on 11th and Vine St. to get a chicken on the 2d floor. After selection, the chicken was taken downstairs to the shechert, Mr. Ragbill, who would bless the chicken, kill it and let it bleed out. The chicken was then flicked and cleaned. Charlotte began working for Boston Store on 4th and Wisconsin Ave, then worked at Bitker-Gerner, a fashionable women's clothing store on 3rd and North Ave. While working at BG, she met a young man, Jack Cohen, and a mutual friend's birthday party. Jack's family owned the deli at 17th and North Ave. (now Jake's Deli) and lived above it. Jack thought she was a beautiful woman who enjoyed a nice cocktail. Jack didn't waste any time, and the two had their first date later that week. The couple had many dates at The Canadian Club in the Third Ward. They enjoyed concerts at the Washington Park Bandshell, attended State Fair, movies, dinner at Mammy's, a hamburger at Pig 'N Whistle in Shorewood, and La Joy Chinese Restaurant. After the two were engaged, Charlotte invited Jack to her parents' home for dinner, but was mortified when her mother presented liver and onions for dinner. To Charlotte's surprise, Jack was thrilled to be served one of his favorite dishes. Charlotte and Jack were wed March 15, 1954 at the Lubavitch temple on 52nd and Burleigh. Of special note, Charlotte's mother Rose insisted that everyone get half a chicken, not the customary quarter chicken. The couple honeymooned in Chicago at the Ambassador West Hotel. Jack and Charlotte resided in Milwaukee in an apartment on 50th and Burleigh. In March of 1955, Charlotte gave birth to her first son, David, to be followed by Barry in 1957, and then 3rd son Laurance in 1960. Charlotte and Jack continued to press on hoping for a girl, and they were blessed with their daughter Stacy in 1961. They resided at that time in the lower duplex at 4651 N. 76th St. David Wolkenstein, the pharmacist, and his family lived upstairs. Charlotte was a stay-at-home mother, taking care of the kids. The couple moved to 2966 N. Prospect Ave. near UWM, where the kids walked to Hartford Ave. School. It was close enough so that the kids could walk home for lunch. Charlotte enjoyed a round of golf at Lake Park's par 3 course. The couple built a new deli in Shorewood, "Cohen's Nosherie" (now Benji's Delicatessen) in 1963. After other business ventures, the couple operated coin laundries in several apartment buildings around Milwaukee, leading to the purchase of Campus Laundromat near UWM, and later 4 more Laundromats. Charlotte was instrumental in the interior decorating of all the laundromats, and played an important role as board member and vice president at the annual meetings where employees' (the kids') salaries and benefits were hotly negotiated at Ming Garden Restaurant on Hwy 100 and Capital Dr. Family outings often included a cookout at the beach on Lincoln Memorial Dr. or a trip to Cedar Lake in West Bend with a stop at A&W. Family driving vacations to Florida to visit Charlotte's brother Marty and his family happened twice a year for many years. In 1969 Charlotte and Jack purchased a wonderful home on Hackett Ave. in Shorewood that Charlotte decorated simply and tastefully. She had a good eye for classic things. Charlotte enjoyed playing bridge with her friends, and she and Jack played tennis often with friends. Socializing was a big part of tennis night. Charlotte enjoyed taking cooking classes at UWM. Charlotte hosted a cooking class taught by Karen in Charlotte's home kitchen. The event was featured in The Milwaukee Journal. Charlotte's family enjoyed her home cooking. The couple moved to an apartment at White Oaks in Fox Point and later moved to a 13th floor apartment downtown on Waverly St. overlooking Lake Michigan. Sunday mornings were especially enjoyable for Charlotte, walking with Jack to a downtown cafe, enjoying the Sunday New York Times. She and Jack enjoyed the many concerts downtown during the summers. They also enjoyed the opera and ballet downtown, and concerts at the Pabst Theater. Art museums were also a treat for Charlotte. Charlotte and Jack travelled many times throughout the country as well as to London, France, Portugal, Israel, Italy, and enjoyed many cruises. Elderhostel was a popular way to travel both at home and abroad. Charlotte enjoyed spending time with her friends Vera Landry, Dittie Pittleman and Julie Eckhardt. During one of the family vacations to Florida in the early 1980's, Charlotte first saw The Summit, a newly built condo complex of twin towers on the ocean in Hollywood. Charlotte commented to Jack," how wonderful it would be someday to live here." Her dream was to come true in 2003 when she and Jack purchased a two-bedroom condo at The Summit, overlooking both the ocean and the Intercoastal Waterway. Life during Wisconsin's wonderful winters was the motivating factor in making the move from vacations to purchasing the condo. Charlotte continued her love of the ballet and opera with season tickets to both in Fort Lauderdale. She enjoyed the malls and art museums, and the wonderful public library next door. She made several longtime friends at The Summit, and had many social events including weekly cookouts and breakfast meetings. She enjoyed water aerobics in the pool, just steps from her door. Walking on the boardwalk along the ocean and free concerts at the bandshell were favorites. Charlotte and Jack audited many art and music classes at FIU. Charlotte and Jack continued to drive to Wisconsin and Minnesota to visit family until just a couple of years ago when Covid hit. Attending Friday Shabbat services at Beth Torah Synagogue was a favorite of Charlotte's. She enjoyed the Argentinian Rabbi and the joyous services with South American flair. Charlotte maintained her good humor and sweet disposition until the very end. Dementia set in at the beginning of 2021, and despite wonderful care by Jack and her son Laurance, by the end of the year, she and Jack decided to move to Minneapolis where their daughter Stacy oversaw their care. Charlotte was taken care of by the sweet folks at The Willows of Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove, MN. Charlotte and Jack were married for 68 years. She was a wonderful wife and mother, and a fun human being.

Charlotte Cohen

January 3, 1932 - July 24, 2022