Obituary of Charlotte Johnston

Charlotte Barbara Johnston was born on February 13, 1930 in Holtville, Ca. to Swiss Immigrant parents Carl and Sophie Von Flue and she entered in to rest on January 20, 2024 in Hollister, CA. Charlotte was one of 4 children. Older brother John, older sister Betty and younger sister Ruth. Charlotte attended rural Holtville schools and graduated from Holtville High in 1948. Charlotte became the 1st Carrot Festival Queen of Holtville at 18 and was honored 50 years later as the grand Marshal for the annual festivities. Holtville was known as the Carrot Capital of the world, and she was very proud of that fact. Charlotte's 1st job out of high school was at Maggio's which was the largest carrot producer, along with many other crops and horse racing. She was the office manager and bookkeeper, very dependable, quick witted, and a genius at numbers and beautiful as well. Charlotte was loved and trusted by those she worked with. On October 20, 1951, Charlotte married Eugene W. Johnston of Whittier, CA. They moved to El Centro and started a cattle business in which she took care of the bookkeeping as well as continuing her job at Maggio's. Together they had 7 children Randy, Gary, Mike, then twins James & Barbara, Paul & Lee. In 1967 they built a home in rural Holtville, just down the road from where Charlotte grew up. She would milk her cow, make her own butter, pluck chickens, raise and butchered their own beef. Years later Maggio's moved their business to Arizona, and Charlotte became the head bookkeeper/secretary for Saikon's another produce company in Holtville. Once Saikon's closed their business Charlotte worked for L & S Harvesting. In 2001 she moved to Hollister to be near her daughter. Not ready to fully retire, she took care of the booking for Lico Farms and Glad Tidings Church. Charlotte brought her impeccable work ethic into every situation. She took pride in her job, big or small. Charlotte was proud of her Swiss Heritage, and it was very important to instill that into her children and grandchildren. When Charlotte's kids were young, she would load them up in a 9-seater station wagon and travel to all the Swing fest wrestling competitions in California and as far Tacoma Washington. Charlotte took each of her children to Switzerland as they graduated from high school. She was very proud of her Swiss Heritage and remain fluent speaking the language. She taught all her kid's various phrases, most importantly hosa la zu machen which was zip up your zipper, and with raising all those boys it was heard a lot. Charlotte loved her polka music and played it often. She taught most of her kids and grandkids how to polka and just recently shared one last polka dance with her 1s born grandson Patrick. Charlotte also loved to play Ninesty a Swiss Board game with her kids and grandkids. She loved to go for long walks and set gofer traps around the alfalfa fields. Charlotte loved her Swiss food, such as macaroni, liver and onions, bratwurst sausages, tripe, and especially her cookies Brazetli. Her favorite color was yellow. Charlotte was a lifelong member of the Imperial Valley Swiss Club, member of the Lutheran Church, and the Imperial Valley Brigadets riding club. She was in a bowling league for many years. Charlotte is preceded in death by her parents Carl & Sophie Von Flue, ex-husband Eugene, her siblings Johnny, Betty, Ruthie and her 2 sons Randy & Gary and a great grandson Issac Phillip. Charlotte is survived by her daughter-in-law Tricia, Son Mike and (Teri), son James, daughter Barbara Perry, son Paul (Cheryl) and son Lee and 11 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. Charlotte will be forever known as the Polka Queen of Holtville. May she rest in PEACE forever and keep her dancing shoes ready. We were Blessed to have her in our lives these 93 years. Charlotte will be forever missed. FAREWELL OUR QUEEN The funeral service will be on Monday January 29th at 1pm at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home in Hollister Ca. Interment will be January 31st at 12pm at Evergreen Cemetery in El Centro, CA. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Attention Donor Services, 255 N. Michigan Ave Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or Imperial Valley Swiss Club, P.O. Box 807, Holtville, CA.