Charlotte Lois Kauhane (née Drengenberg)

August 3, 1927 – November 25, 2025, Denver, Colorado

 

Charlotte Lois Kauhane, lovingly known as Lois or Loey most of her life and Charlotte in Colorado, passed away peacefully in Denver, Colorado, at the age of 98. She was born on August 3, 1927, in Delafield, Wisconsin, to Charles Herman and Bernice Elizabeth Drengenberg, the second of their ten children.

 

In 1951, Lois joined the United States Air Force, where she met the love of her life, Robert Joseph Kauhane. They shared 62 years of marriage before his passing and raised three children: Robert Leslie, Lori Beth Noelani, and their youngest daughter, Lee Ann Iwalani, who predeceased her. As a military family, Lois and Bob traveled the world, providing their children with a life full of adventure, culture, and love.

 

While stationed in Japan in 1972, Lois experienced the detachment of her retinas. She was transported to Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, where, after six unsuccessful surgeries, she lost her eyesight. With remarkable courage and resilience, she rebuilt her life. In 1973, she attended Ho‘opono Service for the Blind, where she trained as a vendor. She went on to run the snack shop at Ho‘opono for seven and a half years before managing food service at the main post office at the Honolulu Airport. She retired in 2007, after 33 years of dedicated service. During her career, she was recognized with an award for small businesses employing individuals with special needs, and she served on the board of the Hawai‘i Association for the Blind.

 

A lifelong and avid reader, Lois found joy and companionship in audiobooks—from the Hawai‘i Library for the Blind, the Colorado Talking Book Library, and the many books her son downloaded for her. She also cherished her community, attending water aerobics at the Kāne‘ohe and Kailua district parks for many years.

 

After five decades in Hawai‘i, Lois moved to Colorado in 2021. She quickly became part of the community at Brookdale Parkplace, where she lived for four and a half years. She showed up for exercise class nearly every morning and delighted in live music, lectures, and the friendships she made there.

 

Lois is survived by her son, Robert Leslie (Jonne), and daughter, Lori Beth Noelani; her sister, Nancy Wallace (Bill); sisters-in-law Velma Warpole, Greta Drengenberg, and Georgette Kauhane; her granddaughter Jessica Furman (Dustin); great-grandsons Robert and Miles; and great-granddaughter Emelia. She is also survived by her beloved hānai grandson Jon Kauhane (Brenda), and their children Grant, Noah, and Grace; as well as a large and cherished extended family.

 

Our mom was one of the sweetest, bravest, and wisest woman we have ever known. The loss of her love and laughter leaves the world a darker place, and our hearts are broken. She will be dearly, deeply missed. Her smile—always warm, always encouraging—will remain with us forever.

 

Celebration of Life will be held 

January 10, 2026

1:00pm

Brookdale Parkplace Auditorium  

111 N Emerson Street

Denver, CO  80218

(303) 744-0400  

 

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Hawai’i.  Details will be shared with family and friends once arrangements are finalized.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family invites those wishing to honor her memory to consider a donation to:

 

Hawai’i Library for the Blind and Print Disabled

Hawai’i Association of the Blind

Friends of Ho’opono

Friends of Colorado Talking Book Library