Charla B. Rudolph
June 13, 1936 - February 7, 2024
Charla Rudolph of Denver, Colorado passed away February 7, 2024. Born in Denver to Charles and Della Baer, Charla was raised in Denver and attended East High School and graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Charla was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority and a passionate CU Buff football fan.
Charla became a third-grade teacher in southern California, bringing vivid memories to her students through field trips to the Santa Monica pier. Soon she met naval officer Charles (Chuck) Rudolph and after a five-month courtship, they married in 1961. In time, two sons, Greg and Mark, joined the family. They lived in Hawaii, Chicago, Sacramento and Tustin before settling permanently in Denver in 1978.
Beyond Charla’s devotion to her family, two pursuits inspired her life: collecting historic Colorado art and the Children’s Hospital charity shop, La Cache. Charla was an extremely gregarious and loving woman. People naturally gravitated towards Charla’s welcoming and giving personality.
Charla helped found La Cache in 1982 and worked with a team every week, evaluating donations and consignments to create prices fair to both consignor and purchaser. La Cache has always been managed and staffed by volunteers. To date, the charity shop has raised more than $5,000,000 to support the hospital.
Charla amassed an extensive and beautiful collection of Colorado historic art. She pursued paintings creatively, finding pieces at estate sales, garage sales and auctions. She enjoyed the hunt and the research as much as the actual finding. Over the years, she shared her knowledge and her collection with other collectors and loaned artwork to museums, libraries and exhibitions.
Two of the greatest joys of Charla’s life appeared as granddaughters Drew and Hana. To Charla’s delight, Drew and partner Clara Pruess display in their front room the only painting Charla ever completed.
Chuck and Charla often traveled to spend time with friends and family. Charla particularly enjoyed their trips to China and London to savor the Victoria and Albert museum.
Son Greg Rudolph preceded Charla in death by 20 years. Husband Chuck preceded Charla in death by a mere 12 days. She is survived by her son Mark, granddaughters Drew and Hana Rudolph, and cousins Stephen Batura, Eddie Batura, David Batura, and Diane Van Stone.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to The Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation with notation to “in Charla Rudolph’s memory” by mail to Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation, PO Box 5585, Denver, CO 80217-9839 or via https://www.supportchildrenscolorado.org/
Memorial services celebrating both Chuck and Charla’s lives will be held at 11am on April 12, 2024 at Montview Presbyterian Church located at 1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220 with a reception immediately following at the Denver Botanic Gardens located at 1007 York Street, Denver, CO 80206.
Make a Donation In Honor of Charla
instructions (Optional) In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to The Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation with notation to “in Charla Rudolph’s memory” by mail to Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation, PO Box 5585, Denver, CO 80217-9839 or via the link below.
Memorial Services
Friday, April 12, 2024
Montview Presbyterian Church
11 AM
1980 Dahlia Street
Denver, CO 80220
Reception to Follow
Denver Botanic Gardens
1007 York Street
Denver, CO 80206