Charles Aschenbrenner

MADISON—Charles F. “Charlie” Aschenbrenner of Madison, passed away on Thursday, September 8 ^th , 2022. He was 91 years old. Charlie was born in Milwaukee, WI, on Oct. 29 ^th , 1930, the son of Charles and Ruth Aschenbrenner. He grew up in Eau Claire, WI.

As a proud member of the U.S. Fifth Air Force, Charlie, navigator of the 17 ^th bombardment wing, flew in the final air raid of the Korean War—on the last day before the truce was signed. He participated in the Badger Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. on Oct, 13, 2018.

After the war, Charlie attended law school at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.  He graduated in 1960.  While there, he met Janice “Jan” Suzanne Rindt at a party.  Though they did not go as each other's date that night, they caught one another’s eye. They were married six months later on December 21, 1957.

Charlie work in law initially took him to Fond du Lac, but he and his young family soon returned to Madison.  His aptitude for numbers and law degree drew him to banking, where he worked on trusts and estates.

Charlie enjoyed flying for the Air National Guard, golf, bowling, the Packers, Badger football games, medium-rare steaks, gin martinis, and classical music.  He was a long-time member of Nakoma Golf Club and Olde Florida in Naples. He was fond of driving through the Madison Arboretum with his kids to get ice cream at the Chocolate Shoppe. He loved sweets.

He and his loving wife Jan enjoyed many snow-free winters in Naples, Florida.  It was at his Florida club, Olde Florida, where he shot his hole in one.  Charlie was steadfast, honorable and was resolutely proud of his service to his country and family.

Charlie is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Ruth, née Brandt, and his sister Joyce Walsh.  He is survived by his wife Janice (née Rindt); children Linda Aschenbrenner (Mike Michaelian), Amy (Jim) Schwartz, Julie (Chuck) Brezen, Robert (Stef) Aschenbrenner, and grandchildren Leah Schwartz, Sam Schwartz, Natalie Michaelian, Becky Brezen, and Trevor Brezen, all of whom loved him and will miss him dearly.

A visitation for Charlie will be held on Friday, September 16 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, from 9:30 am until the time of his funeral service at 11 am.   Military Honors will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Charlie’s name can be directed to: the VFW National Headquarters, 406 W. 34th St., Kansas City, Missouri 64111 ( https://heroes.vfw.org/page/21776/donate/ ) , Agrace Foundation, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI, 53711 ( https://www.agrace.org/donate/ ) , or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 5701 Raymond Road, Madison, WI, 53711.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road  Madison

(608) 238-3434