Charla R. Gempeler, of Waukesha, died peacefully on Friday, Aug. 15, 2008, at AngelsGrace Hospice in Oconomowoc at the age of 55.

She was born in West Bend on March 30, 1953, the daughter of George and Charlotte (Liens) Stube.

She was a 1971 graduate of West Bend East High School and graduated in 1974 from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a degree in elementary education.

While at UW-Oshkosh, Charla was a member of the women’s tennis and swimming teams. She continued her education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison receiving a master’s degree in educational psychology. She taught for many years at the McFarland School district.

On June 19, 1982, she married Mark Gempeler in West Bend.

An avid member of First United Methodist Church in Waukesha, Charla was very involved in many church activities including United Methodist Women.

She was a director on the board of the Great Blue Heron Girl Scout Council and volunteered for the Boy Scouts.

Charla worked part-time as an assistant librarian in the Waukesha School District and for the Waukesha Public Library.

She loved traveling with her husband, boys and friends and playing cards with her card groups.

Charla will be dearly missed by her husband, The Honorable Mark Gempeler, Waukesha Circuit Court judge; her two sons, Stephen Gempeler and Matthew Gempeler both of Waukesha; her mother, Charlotte Stube of West Bend; her sister Barbara Stube of Denver, Colo.; and her brothers, George Stube of Greenfield and William (Carol) Stube of Wales. She is further survived by other relatives and many friends.
 
She was preceded in death by her father.

Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1 p.m. until the time of service at 4 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 121 Wisconsin Ave., Waukesha.

Private family burial will be held at Prairie Home Cemetery.

Memorials are appreciated to the church (address above), the American Cancer Society, N19 W24350 Riverwood Drive, Waukesha, WI 53188; or to the Girl Scouts of America, P.O. Box 14999 Milwaukee, WI 53214.

For further information, please call Randle-Dable Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at 262-547-4035, or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave an on-line tribute.

The family wishes to extend their appreciation to the doctors and staffs of Froedtert Memorial Hospital, Waukesha Memorial Hospital, and AngelsGrace Hospice for the care of Charla.