Charlotte Mary Talbert

Charlotte Mary Talbert, a resident of Willow Springs, MO passed away Friday, September 16, 2022, at Ozarks Healthcare in West Plains, MO. She was born March 16, 1938, in Libertyville, IL to Albert Lloyd Knigge and Lotta Mary (Krueger) Knigge and was 84 years old.

Charlotte attended McHenry School in Illinois. Following school came a life of success in the culinary arts. Charlotte found work as an Executive Chef and Pastry Chef at the "County Squire" and "Rustic Manor" restaurants. She later became the original owner of the beloved "Black Pine Restaurant". Never giving up on finding her next love she married James Starnes in 1960, later Charles Novak in 1966, and Roger Talbert in 1989. Charlotte was a multi-award-winning chef and baker, an avid gardener, and a QVC Queen. She loved many activities, but among her favorites was playing cards and listening to Hank Williams Jr. on her front porch with an ice-cold Miller Lite or vodka gimlet while petting her cats and watching the birds. She will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Lotta; her brother, Claude Knigge; and husbands, James Starnes and Charles Novak.

She is survived by her siblings, Art Knigge and Carol Knigge; her daughters, Diana Hinzman and Doreen Grogan; her grandchildren, Anthony Grogan, Katherine Distler, Robert Hinzman, Timothy Grogan, and Amanda Hinzman. She is further survived by many well-loved great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

There are no services in place for Charlotte as she instead asked to have her life celebrated. The family requests that in lieu of flowers to please leave any donations made out to the family and may be left at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Willow Funeral Home, LLC. Online condolences may be left at www.willowspringsfuneralhome.com