Carlene, age 89, was the second of nine children of Alex and Anna Marie (Swirczynski) Knauf born in Emporia, KS. In 1952 she graduated from Emporia High School and soon afterwards the family moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado where her father became the Superintendent of the Facilities for the Sisters of St. Francis, at Mount St. Francis Convent on West Woodmen Road.
Carlene worked at Alexander Film Company for 3 years before entering religious life as an Olivetan Benedictine Sister in Jonesboro, Arkansas. While there she earned a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arkansas. She taught in elementary grade schools in Arkansas and Louisiana; her greatest joy was teaching 1st and 2nd graders, as she loved the little ones so much. After 17 years of religious service Carlene decided to return to Colorado Springs and start a different lifestyle.
She worked as a hostess at the Peterson AFB Officers Club where she met her husband, Earl “Dutch” Romberger. They married June 1978, and enjoyed three wonderful years together until the Lord called him home in August 1981 due to cancer.
During the following years she worked in various roles of religious education and eight years at ENT Credit Union, and was an active member of Holy Apostles Church. In May 1995, Carlene married Robert “Bob” Church. They have been devoted to each other the last 29 years and he cared for her until her death, aided by her three sisters.
Carlene loved animals and shared their home with 2 cats. She loved watching the squirrels, deer and birds busy at the feeder. She was the defender of all animals, even the skunk, racoon and pocket gopher who pestered her brother-in-law.
She was a sweet gentle soul who was thoughtful of others and rarely talked about herself. She was known for her radiant smile and easy-going disposition. Above all she loved people, always interested how others were doing, even on her deathbed asking about nieces and nephews. Carlene was an inspiration as to how she bore her failing health with patience, maintaining her amiable disposition until the Good Lord called her home to eternal rest.
Carlene is survived by her husband, Bob, three sisters, Maxine Martinez and Rosemary Toman (Ron) of Colorado Springs, and Loretta Knauf of Aurora, Colorado, and two brothers, Al Knauf of Wheaton, Illinois and Jerry Knauf (Kathy) of Colorado Springs, along with 8 nieces and 12 nephews, and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents Alex and Anna Marie Knauf; husband Dutch Romberger; and three brothers: Stephen, Donnie, and David Knauf.
Funeral Mass will be 10:30AM, Monday, February 24, 2025, at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Colorado Springs, with Fr. Erin Kochivar officiating. The Rosary will precede the Mass at 10:00AM. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs.
Ken Lustig
16 Feb 2025I have truly lost a dear friend. What a beautiful woman Carlene was in every way, I loved making her laugh which was not hard to do. What a privilege it has been to have her as part of my life. I send my condolences to all of the Knaufs and promise prayers.