Diane Yvonne Charron

Diane Yvonne Charron, 74, of Allegan, Michigan passed away January 29, 2025, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo with her boys at her side. She spent most of her life in Baraga and L’Anse, Michigan. Born February 4, 1950, in L’Anse, Michigan to Florence Olsen & Lloyd Asher. She was raised by her Grandmother Gerda (Larsen) Olsen. She was a proud member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. Her Ojibwa name is Yellow Cloud Woman.

She was raised by her Grandmother Gerda. She attended L’Anse Area Schools where her favorite subject was mathematics. Diane and Michael Charron were wed in 1969, and the birth of their sons happened shortly thereafter in the following years. She resided in the Detroit area and then Kalamazoo. Diane worked first at Swede’s Bar in L’Anse and at General Motors in Kalamazoo and served on the Civil Rights Committee there. After moving back to the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, Diane worked as the sewing instructor Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) Sewing Class teaching sewing and regalia making. She also served on the Cultural Committee for the tribe.

After retiring she spent most of her time sewing, doing basketry, beading and doing many other crafts. Diane was an incredibly talent seamstress and there was not a craft that she did not tackle. Her greatest passion though was her close relationships with her beloved family and friends. She loved many and was loved by many. She was incredibly proud of her children and grandchildren. Diane had hundreds of friends. She was always ready to laugh and tell the most interesting stories. Her life was filled with many trials and tribulations, but she always emerged with great strength and sense of humor intact. She will be deeply missed by her family and all those many friends she made along the way. Our memories with Diane will be cherished in our hearts until we see her again and can share another laugh.

She is survived by her two sons, Michael (Cindy) Charron and Anthony (Nicole) Charron, grandchildren, Edward Charron and Eva Charron, Michael (Lauren) Williams and Great Granddaughter, Anastasia Williams, six sisters, Peggy Dunn, Cathy Hamilton (Bill) Beverly Lussier, and Gerry (John) Mantila, Jeanene (Mike) Sanregret and Colleen (Lyle) Verbanac. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends, including Judy Nash, as well as her ex-husband and dear friend, Michael Charron to whom they shared the two boys.

Diane was preceded in death by her parents and her Grandmother Gerda.

Per Diane’s wishes, she will be cremated, and her final resting place will be at the Pinery Indian Cemetery in L’Anse, Michigan. A celebration of life will take place at the Zeba Hall in L’Anse, Michigan at a date yet to be determined, details of which will follow at a later date.

Any funny stories or your memories of Diane that can be shared here will be greatly appreciated and cherished.