Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery, rural Minnewaukan with a time of fellowship and sharing to follow at the Trinity Free Lutheran Church in Minnewaukan. In the case of inclement weather, the service will be held at Trinity Free Lutheran Church followed by the interment. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Wednesday, August 25th from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Cheryl Kay, daughter of Oscar and Deanna (Olson) Hanson was born on the 4th of July in 1959 at Devils Lake ND. She was reared and educated in Minnewaukan, participating in basketball and band and graduating with the class of 1977. Cheri then worked for a dentist in Minnewaukan. After the birth of her precious son Brant in 1981, he and Cheri moved to Arizona and Cheri worked for the Arizona Forest Service. In 1983, they returned to Minnewaukan and Cheri was employed with the USDA Farm Service Agency from 1987 to 2016 when she retired to begin her 5-year battle with cancer.
Cheri was a baptized, confirmed, life-long member of St. Peter Lutheran Church where she sang in the Youth Choir. She loved the outdoors, yard work, a well-groomed lawn. She had the awesome talent of playing several brass instruments, bass guitar and piano by ear. She volunteered her time to play TAPS at many Veterans funerals and events. Even as she battled health issues, she joyfully undertook the task of caring for her mother as she faced many health setbacks in her later years.
Cheri was a humble, private, extremely independent person. She showed so much strength, courage and grace in battling cancer or any adversity. While Cheri was not a materialistic person, she generously gave of her time and talents to others-family, friends and monetary donations to anyone in need. She had the heart and soul of a saint. Cheri brought joy to so many. She was always willing to lend support to those who needed help in anyway, never expecting anything in return.
Our incredible loving mom, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and dear friend will be so very missed, always loved and forever in our hearts. Cheri knew and loved her Lord and Savior and we return her to His loving arms.
Cheri is survived by her son Brant Hanson and Rachael and her children Alanah and Logan of Bismarck; sisters Nancy Thompson (John Frith), Devils Lake and Jill Schafer (Tom Lang) of Minnewaukan; nephew Mitchell Weed, Minnewaukan and niece Brittany Weed (Travis), Mayville ND; great nephew Cade and great nieces Lux and Camry; her beloved cat Jinny and granddog Hank and many dear family.
She was met in Heaven by her parents, brother Tom, grandparents Oscar and Edith Hanson, Holger and Ida Olson and many aunts and uncles.