Charlotte Bluhm Woods

Virginia Frederika Charlotta Gretschel Bluhm Woods - “Charlotte” was born in Angola, West Africa on April 11, 1934, to German parents, Walter and Henrietta Gretschel.

Initially raised in what one could call an opulent household, complete with servants, upon Hitler’s invasion of Belgium, the family was relocated to an internment camp in the Belgium Congo, where they would stay for the next eight years. 

Rustic, sparse and confining, the family made do in their new surroundings. After the war, the family was repatriated to Germany, but with a country in shambles, Walter used his connections to relocate the family to Port Alegre, Brazil. 

From there, the family was sponsored by Charlotte’s eldest sister, Dores and settled in the Los Angeles area of California. Using what savings the family had managed to hold on to, Walter and Henrietta started a boarding house in San Pedro. It was there, because of an ad placed by Henrietta offering home cooked German meals, that Joachim ‘Joe’ Bluhm was enticed to take up residence. 

Joachim was also an immigrant, growing up in Berlin during the war. Thus began a beautiful 34- year love story. Joe and Charlotte would welcome Alex and Alan into the family in the coming years. 

An excellent craftsman, Vati, (as we called him), was always in demand for those wanting a well-designed and expertly built home. Our family would relocate north to Fresno and again to Stockton, California.

A chance meeting with a co-worker of Ma’s introduced Vati to the fine hunting available in Montana. For years he would travel to the ‘east side,’ assist on a ranch, and then set out by himself to hunt deer during the season. At the same time, Ma would take us boys down to L.A. to visit our cousins and take in the numerous theme parks in the area. Never one to sit on the sidelines, Ma would join us on even the scariest of rollercoasters.

Enamored with the Big Sky state, Ma and Vati ventured out to find the perfect retirement location. They found it in what Ma referred to as her little hamlet of Libby. There as retired 50-something year olds, a new adventure began as they first built a small shop to reside while building their forever home. They welcomed their grandson, Alexander Joachim in September of 1992, however, the joy was short-lived, as Vati was diagnosed with cancer the following month. We lost our beloved Vati in March of 1994. 

This would begin the first of many offers for Ma, now referred to as ‘Oma Montana’ to move closer to the family, but fiercely independent, she was going to stay put and finish the basement of the beautiful home - in the manner in which Vati would have approved.

Ma met and married Charles Woods in 1997. Together they would enjoy 20 years in the beautiful home that Vati had built. Charles passed away in January 2018. As Ma’s health declined and shortly after celebrating her 89th birthday in April of 2023, Ma, much to our astonishment, finally took us up on our offer to come stay in her room with us permanently to be around her family, which now included her sons, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. Finally, the family was all together in the same locale.

She enjoyed many family gatherings and events during her time with us. Ma passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 25, 2024. Ma was a force of nature. Fiercely independent and proud of her German heritage, but more importantly of her American citizenship! She and Vati embraced the American dream as young immigrants and took advantage of all the opportunities this amazing country had to offer. They both so loved their adopted country!

Ma is survived by her two sons, Alex (Jodie) of Las Vegas, Nevada, Alan (Elizabeth) of North Las Vegas, Nevada, grandsons Alexander (Brittanie) and Michael of North Las Vegas, Nevada and two great-grandchildren, Madison and Mason of North Las Vegas, Nevada. Nephews Clark (Jeanne) Baker of Vero Beach, Florida, Rex Baker of Joshua Tree, California and niece Erlinda Baker of Seattle, Washington. 

She is predeceased by her parents Walter and Henrietta Gretschel, her beloved Joachim Bluhm, second husband, Charles Woods, and adored sisters Dores and Irasema.

The Bluhm family wishes to thank the wonderful citizens of Libby who welcomed Ma and Vati 35 years ago and continued to be so kind to our entire family. 

Ma’s memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Christ Lutheran Church, 200 W. Larch Street, Libby.