Charlene Marie Fitzmorris, 76, of McPherson, Kansas, passed away at 11:12 a.m., Wednesday, September 11th, 2019 while in the company of family members, at Cedars House.

Charlene was born in St. Charles, Missouri on February 25, 1943, a daughter of Charles Joseph and Margarette (Purdon) Moriarty.

Charlene attended elementary school at St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from St. Patrick’s High School, Parsons, Kansas. She then attended Parsons Junior College, Parsons, Kansas and later graduated from Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas with a degree in Elementary Education.

She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in McPherson, where she was a member of the Altar Society.

Charlene was a homemaker and she took great pride in providing for her family in this manner. She was a bookkeeper for Lucas Motor Company, Lucas, Kansas, and taught for 28 years starting at Sylvan Grove Elementary School, Sylvan Grove, Kansas and retired from Washington Elementary School, McPherson, Kansas after 2 years.

Charlene was a member of KNEA and the NEA.

Charlene enjoyed raising her children, teaching, and spending time with her family, particularly her grandchildren.

Charlene Marie Moriarty was united in marriage to Larry Joe Fitzmorris on August 17, 1963 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Parsons, Kansas. The young couple established their first home together in Parsons for a year before moving to Lucas, Kansas where they lived for 39 years. After retirement, they moved to McPherson in 2003.

She is survived by husband Larry Fitzmorris, of McPherson, Kansas; son Douglas, husband of Danica Fitzmorris, of McPherson, Kansas; daughter Kelly, wife of Rick Kohl, of Moundridge, Kansas; son Shawn, husband of Christy Fitzmorris, of Kansas City, Missouri; son Ryan husband of LaChelle Fitzmorris, of Hays, Kansas; brother James, husband of Shari Moriarty, of Kansas City, Missouri. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren – Riley Fitzmorris, Trevor Kohl, Addie Fitzmorris, Rory Fitzmorris, Collin Kohl, twins Jase Fitzmorris and Josie Fitzmorris, Declan Fitzmorris, Kellan Fitzmorris, and Quinn Fitzmorris.

Charlene was preceded in death by her parents and a grandson Pierce Fitzmorris.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 15, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with Rosary at 7:30 p.m..

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, September 16 , 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, McPherson, Kansas, with Fr. Ben Shockey officiating.

Burial will be at McPherson Cemetery McPherson, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic School and they can be sent to Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home, 222 W. Euclid St., McPherson, Ks. 67460.