Charlene Kay Ollenburger was born to Ruben and LaVina June on October 3, 1947, in Perryton, Texas. She traveled with her parents each summer during the wheat harvest across the Midwest, working hard, baking zwieback, and occasionally driving truck.

Born into a deeply rooted German Mennonite Brethren family, she grew up in Buhler, Kansas, and enjoyed what many would call an idyllic childhood, surrounded by family, church, and music. She began learning piano at an early age and often fondly recalled playing for treasured community events such as Frolic Day, trumpet trios, quartets, and numerous school and church gatherings. Throughout her life, she felt honored to be asked to play and continued, well into her later years, to say "yes" far more often than "no" to both volunteer and paid opportunities. It was her heartfelt goal and prayer to glorify God through the music she made with the gifts He had given her.

Charlene followed in her mother's footsteps, becoming the second of three generations of daughters to major in music. She specialized in keyboard, organ, and piano, and in college double-majored in organ and German. She attended Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas—like her parents—where, while accompanying voice lessons on piano, she met Louis Lingo, a skateboarding, surfing, guitar-playing singer from Los Angeles.

Upon marrying in 1969, they moved to South America with a Mennonite Brethren group to teach school. During their time in Colombia, Charlene gave birth to their daughter, Kimberly.

After returning to the United States, they spent time in Los Angeles before settling in Santa Paula, California, where they moved into the home in which Lou and Charlene built their life and raised their family. Ventura Missionary Church quickly became their church home, familiar and welcoming. Through the Joint Heirs class and New Life Singers, they formed lifelong friendships and became deeply involved in the music ministry.

Soon after, their son Matt was born, and life grew busier, but Charlene always prioritized family and church. She believed that while many things in life would fall into place, the most important—her relationship with God and her family's relationship with God and one another—must remain central.

For many years, Lou and Charlene served side by side in music ministry while she also taught numerous piano lessons. Together, they lived a faithful life of service and love. One of her greatest joys was seeing both of her children grow in their faith and continue to lead worship, with Kimberly being a professional musician and leader and Matt serving bi-vocationally as a worship leader on weekends, while working full time in philanthropy. Her four grandchildren were another profound joy; she loved them deeply and prayed for them constantly.

The unexpected loss of her husband, Lou, was the greatest challenge of her life. Gone far too soon, his passing forced Charlene to face fear and grief with courage and faith. Holding tightly to God's hand, she moved forward—and she kept playing the piano at church, because life goes on. As the Psalm says, "He is my rock."

In her later years, Charlene faced significant physical challenges, yet her outlook remained steadfast: she would face "whatever God has for me" and continue to let her little light shine. And she did.