BleedGopher
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Per Shama:
Charley Mencel is in hospice now. He is the former University of Minnesota All-American guard from the 1950s and last living member of the Minneapolis Lakers.
Charley, 92, resides in a senior facility in Rogers with his wife of 72 years, Ann. He has multiple health issues including balance which restricts his mobility to a wheelchair and walker. He has atrial fibrillation and other cardio problems. A catheter is his daily companion and part of ongoing urinary issues.
There is also blood in his urine, but Charley and Ann have decided not to pursue tests. He has been hospitalized in the past and doesn’t want to return. “This is a nice place to finish. I’ve had one happy life,” he told Sports Headliners on Monday.
Charley has been in hospice before. Although he is again in that late-life care mode, he and Ann report his health has improved of late.
How about Charley’s attitude?
A+.
“This positive man will not complain about anything,” Ann said.
If there was a dark time in Charley’s life it occurred while he was a boy growing up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. His dad got caught up in an insurance scheme and was an alcoholic with behavior issues. A divorce forced Charley’s mother to work two jobs, one during the day and the other at night.
She bought Charley a membership at the YMCA and told him to go there if he didn’t have anything to do or some place to be. He found mentors at the YMCA and sometimes was all alone in the gym where he shot basket after basket.
He credits his lifelong positive outlook on life to his mom’s influence. She was a role model and sacrificed for him and his two sisters. “It was a good life because of her. For sure,” Charley said.
It’s been a good life, too, because of Ann. They were high school sweethearts in Eau Claire. Charley said a first kiss sealed the relationship forever.
Asked what a 92nd Christmas will mean to him, he answered it’s been a “blessing to live that long” and particularly sharing his life with Ann.
“That’s pretty hard to top that one, and it’s been a joy to watch our family develop,” Charley said. “We have three kids, two daughters and a son, seven grandkids and now we have 18 great grandkids.
“So, the family has just bloomed and exploded during our lifetime, and they bring us just so much joy. You gotta say, ‘Thank you God, for that blessing.’ ”
Ann and Charley are members of Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina. Every Sunday at 11 a.m. they watch services on YouTube. “I am still a Christian,” said Charley who grew up going to a Presbyterian church.
Ann showed a visitor a calendar of activities that fill their days. There are many things to do at the facility where they reside and there are aides who come daily to check on Charley. A chaplain visits weekly and so does a music therapist.
Charley’s mom played the piano, and his dad played the trombone. Sundays found them entertaining at polka gatherings.
Charley used to play the trumpet. His favorite song is Amazing Grace and after he sang it passionately for a visitor it was a reminder why he and Ann talk about music being so important for human souls.
On Christmas Day the two will go to daughter Deborah’s house. She has rented a ramp to her residence. In anticipation, Charley chuckled about being able to “roll right up” the ramp in his wheelchair.
What does he want for Christmas? “I want to celebrate a 100th birthday,” said Charley who turns 93 on April 21.
Go Gophers!!
Charley Mencel is in hospice now. He is the former University of Minnesota All-American guard from the 1950s and last living member of the Minneapolis Lakers.
Charley, 92, resides in a senior facility in Rogers with his wife of 72 years, Ann. He has multiple health issues including balance which restricts his mobility to a wheelchair and walker. He has atrial fibrillation and other cardio problems. A catheter is his daily companion and part of ongoing urinary issues.
There is also blood in his urine, but Charley and Ann have decided not to pursue tests. He has been hospitalized in the past and doesn’t want to return. “This is a nice place to finish. I’ve had one happy life,” he told Sports Headliners on Monday.
Charley has been in hospice before. Although he is again in that late-life care mode, he and Ann report his health has improved of late.
How about Charley’s attitude?
A+.
“This positive man will not complain about anything,” Ann said.
If there was a dark time in Charley’s life it occurred while he was a boy growing up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. His dad got caught up in an insurance scheme and was an alcoholic with behavior issues. A divorce forced Charley’s mother to work two jobs, one during the day and the other at night.
She bought Charley a membership at the YMCA and told him to go there if he didn’t have anything to do or some place to be. He found mentors at the YMCA and sometimes was all alone in the gym where he shot basket after basket.
He credits his lifelong positive outlook on life to his mom’s influence. She was a role model and sacrificed for him and his two sisters. “It was a good life because of her. For sure,” Charley said.
It’s been a good life, too, because of Ann. They were high school sweethearts in Eau Claire. Charley said a first kiss sealed the relationship forever.
Asked what a 92nd Christmas will mean to him, he answered it’s been a “blessing to live that long” and particularly sharing his life with Ann.
“That’s pretty hard to top that one, and it’s been a joy to watch our family develop,” Charley said. “We have three kids, two daughters and a son, seven grandkids and now we have 18 great grandkids.
“So, the family has just bloomed and exploded during our lifetime, and they bring us just so much joy. You gotta say, ‘Thank you God, for that blessing.’ ”
Ann and Charley are members of Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina. Every Sunday at 11 a.m. they watch services on YouTube. “I am still a Christian,” said Charley who grew up going to a Presbyterian church.
Ann showed a visitor a calendar of activities that fill their days. There are many things to do at the facility where they reside and there are aides who come daily to check on Charley. A chaplain visits weekly and so does a music therapist.
Charley’s mom played the piano, and his dad played the trombone. Sundays found them entertaining at polka gatherings.
Charley used to play the trumpet. His favorite song is Amazing Grace and after he sang it passionately for a visitor it was a reminder why he and Ann talk about music being so important for human souls.
On Christmas Day the two will go to daughter Deborah’s house. She has rented a ramp to her residence. In anticipation, Charley chuckled about being able to “roll right up” the ramp in his wheelchair.
What does he want for Christmas? “I want to celebrate a 100th birthday,” said Charley who turns 93 on April 21.
Go Gophers!!
