Age 76 of Inver Grove Heights
Passed into the arms of her Savior, surrounded by her children on November 20, 2022. Preceded in death by parents, Arlene & Murrel Chapman; step-father, John Simonson; two unborn children. Survived by children, Ryan Cousins, Julie (Matt) McMan & Jamie Eschbach; eight grandchildren; three sisters.
Cheryl was strong, outspoken, creative, caring, and knowledgeable. Her crafting interests were diverse and included quilting, ceramics, porcelain, woodwork, cross-stitching, embroidery, every kind of painting, puppet making, tea cup bird feeders, and she was paper crafting until recent hospitalizations.
One thing we looked forward to every Christmas, along with glorious Scandinavian food items, was that year’s “name” ornament, we will always cherish the gifts she made for us and her grandchildren.
She was frugal mom and raised us through some of the most financially challenging times of her life. She made things like “Eternity Soup” because she kept adding to it and it would last forever, she called corn chowder “Dragon Stew” so we would eat it, we ate “sidewalk” beans and bland spaghetti, and we liked it, however, when she got her profit-sharing check, we made steak and shrimp on the table top electric grill and it was a reminder to celebrate, even when times are tough.
Mom had a big life and wore many hats: hairdresser, wife, clothing maker, crafter, songstress, junior inventor, limerick writer, great dancer, music lover, teacher; she also worked at Seagate until she retired.
Her faith in Jesus Christ was a large part of her life and she made a point to pray for everyone she encountered, even as they were providing care to her, and her faith contributed to her 38 years of sobriety. She adopted many people in her life, rarely did she have mere “acquaintances”, they all became family.
She gave us her strange sense of humor and taught us to make people laugh. She called us her sweet babies to the end and let us know we were her greatest accomplishment on Earth. We will miss her forever.
A service will be held at a later date.
Memorials preferred to Groveland Cemetery 4565 Telemark Road, Dundas, MN 55019.