Celebrating the life of a man with a really good heart who liked to be “squared away” and chose to live on the “sunny side”. Kenneth Lee Cherry was born on April 4, 1940 in Jackson, Minnesota to Robert Lewis and Mary Elizabeth (Stoldt) Cherry. He was a son, brother, husband and father. He shared these last 30 years his wife, Roberta Lee Cherry. Their children are: Jodi Cherry, Holly Canfield, Ginger Knisley, Anne Cherry, Scott Cherry, Dana Cherry and Tod Erdmann. He had an “Angel Book” where he listed family and friends; he called them often and wrote to them – checking up on them. He loved life and he never met a stranger. He was called “Grampy” by his grandchildren: Leah (Philip) Pommerer, AJ (Adrienne) Dombeck, Taylor Freiermuth, Seth Erdmann, Reid (Jackie) Freiermuth, Navar (Lauren) Hren, Aidan Hren, Dakota (Natalie) Shaw. . . and the great grandchildren: Gavin, Layla, Athena, Cillian, Braylee, Kinley, Ainsley and Lennox. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Robert & Mary Cherry; brother, Scott Cherry and the mother of his children, Helen Cherry. Ken was a fierce competitor. He enjoyed sports in school and was on the Cross Country Team at St. Louis Park High School under Coach Griak. As a participant, he enjoyed tennis, racquetball and golf. As a spectator, he enjoyed all sports: baseball, football, tennis, golf, hockey. Following graduation from St. Louis Park he began his college career at Mankato State; however, on completing his Freshman year, he joined the US Marine Corps and served in Vietnam. Returning home he began a career in Sales, Marketing and Hospitality – and returned to college, ultimately achieving an Associate Degree at Normandale Community College.
During those years, he married Helen (Stavenau) Cherry, and they adopted 4 children to make their family complete. His steady faith in God served as a strong foundation for his life. Ken passed away August 14th, 2025 at the Minnesota Veterans Home-Minneapolis. Our heartfelt thanks to the staff who cared for him there.
A Celebration of Ken’s Life will be held from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm Sunday, August 24th, with a time of sharing beginning at 2:30 pm at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights.