CHARLA M. WERKMEISTER
Charla May Werkmeister (70) of Maywood, Nebraska passed away August 9, 2026.
She was born September 15, 1955 to Charley and Carol (Hanes) Arent in McCook, Nebraska.
Charla spent her younger years growing up in Stockville, Nebraska on the family farm. They worked hard helping their parents farm and grow a large garden.
She spent a lot of hours helping her mom care for her younger brother Kent. Charla graduated from Maywood High School with the class of 1973. After graduation she became a vet tech in Curtis. This profession then led her to Lexington, where she worked at the vet clinic with Ken Reynolds. She really respected and enjoyed him and it was a time in her life she always talked about fondly. In January of 1982 she married Elwyn Werkmeister. To this union three children were born. Charla fought a battle with cancer in her early 20’s and doctors told her she likely would not be able to have children. She was so happy to be blessed with children. From the day she became a mom, she poured her whole entire heart into that role. She was a wonderful, caring, supportive, loving, and dedicated mother. Once her grandchildren were born, she was filled with joy and pride, she then dove into care taking for them also. Her grandchildren were the light of her life and she was so very special to each of them. Charla worked at the Ag Valley Co-op for close to 40 years as a grain accountant.
She loved her coworkers and was very proud of her career. She took pride in her work and it gave her such fulfillment. All of the local farmers knew her and she enjoyed giving them a hard time. Outside of work she loved gardening, care taking for her home and yard, caring for numerous family pets, her garden club, sewing, and cheerleading her children and grandchildren at sports and other activities. She was “Grandma Char” to all the kids in the community. Charla was an incredible sister, aunt, and friend who loved each of those roles also.
She touched so many lives and will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her children, Nicklas Werkmeister, Oakland, California, Emily (Andy) Anders, Maywood, Nebraska, Katie Werkmeister, Curtis, Nebraska; grandchildren, Jaxson Anders, Oliver Anders, Leo Anders, and Sunny Anders; brothers, Randy (Janice) Arent, Maywood, Nebraska, Paul (Candice) Arent, Loveland, Colorado; nephews, Kelvin Arent, North Platte, Nebraska, Brandon Arent, Maywood, Nebraska; and her “sisters” Janet Coder, Susan Garcia, Elizabeth Coder, and Frances Smith, many cousins and cherished lifelong friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charley and Carol Arent; brother, Kent Arent and “Mother” Mary Mitchell.
Memorials are suggested to the family to designate to a fund for May-Hay athletics. Online condolences and livestreaming of the service can be found at www.adamsswanson. com.
Throughout her life she faced many health battles and always took on each one with such courage, strength, and positive outlook. She was a brave fighter with an extreme passion for life!
Although life brought her some tough battles, God knew she could handle them. She leaves her children and grandchildren the legacy of hard work, determination, family above all else, the will to keep a positive attitude no matter your circumstance, and loving people with your whole heart.
Memorial service will be 10:30 A.M., Saturday, August 15, 2026 at the Curtis Methodist Church, Curits, Nebraska. Inurnment will follow at the Maywood Cemetery, Maywood, Nebraska.
Pastor Kort Kemp will be officiating. Book signing will be from noon – 5, Thursday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home who is assisting the family.
