Cheryl Marie McChesney, beloved wife and mother, formerly of Hugo, Minnesota, and Gladstone, Illinois, died unexpectedly on January 25, 2022 at the age of 70 at her home in Venice, Florida.

Cheryl was born on March 17, 1951 in Burlington, Iowa to Charles Edward and Edith Marie McChesney. The oldest of the four McChesney children, Cheryl spent her childhood on the family farm near Gladstone, Illinois. At an early age, Cheryl developed a lifelong love of reading, first by flipping through her treasured Childcraft Library, and later through weekly visits from the Henderson County Library Bookmobile. The topics of art and history always piqued her interest.

Growing up on the farm engendered in her a deep appreciation for the land along the Mississippi River and an admiration for those who live and work there. A strong religious faith was the source of Cheryl's amazing capacity to love others with curiosity and humor, with depth and steadfastness. This love came to life in the way she generously shared joyful, heartfelt conversations with family members and friends.

An avid learner and sponge for knowledge, Cheryl excelled at school and graduated Salutatorian of her class in 1969 from Union High School in Biggsville, Illinois. Before heading off to college, Cheryl was hired to be an au pair by two professors at Illinois'  Monmouth College who were embarking on a sabbatical year in England. This was Cheryl's first extensive journey away from home and it sparked her life-long passion for adventure, travel, and exploration.

Once back home, Cheryl enrolled at Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln, where she started her studies in biology. Shortly thereafter, she decided to study nursing instead and transferred to the University of Iowa School of Nursing, where she completed her undergraduate degree in 1975. Along the way, Cheryl decided she was better suited to pursue training as a physician. She was subsequently accepted into the University of Iowa College of Medicine and received her medical degree in 1980.

It was during this time that she met her best friend and the love of her life, Kevin Charles Garrett. Cheryl and Kevin were married on May 26, 1979 in Biggsville, Illinois, near her parents' home. In 1984, during the last months of residency training in her chosen field of psychiatry in Iowa City, Cheryl and Kevin welcomed their first child, Nathan Alexander McChesney Garrett, into the world. Six months later, the family moved to Appleton, Wisconsin where Cheryl established her medical practice. In 1988, Cheryl and Kevin welcomed their second child, Rachel Katherine McChesney Garrett, into the world. Above all else, Cheryl loved her children, her husband, and the family they created together.

In 1996, Cheryl retired from her medical practice to spend more time with her young children. This change also allowed her to become more involved in her community. Along with ferrying her kids to various activities, Cheryl served as President of the Board of the Appleton Art Center (now the Trout Museum of Art) and completed a master's degree in theology from Lakeland College in Plymouth, Wisconsin.

In 1998, Cheryl became a member of the PEO Sisterhood, a nonprofit group that fosters friendship and works to advance educational opportunities for women. Even as she moved around the country, she continued to be involved in a local chapter of PEO.

After their children were grown, Cheryl and Kevin moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2006. Inspired by the area's rich artistic tradition, Cheryl deepened her dedication to oil painting. Quickly developing a bright, energetic style with animals as her most frequent subject, Cheryl's paintings were eye-catching and beautiful works that were true to the liveliness and personality of the subjects. She delighted in giving her utmost attention to the animals 'eyes, bringing them to life on her canvas. Her art garnered several awards and was sold from a gallery in Santa Fe.

In 2012, Cheryl and Kevin moved to Hugo, Minnesota to be closer to their grown children, with the added benefit of having extended family nearby. In the home they had designed together, Kevin and Cheryl loved hosting holiday gatherings and relished the opportunity to have extended family over for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. Coming from a long line of Scotch-Irish storytellers, Cheryl was devoted to keeping each of their families 'oral histories alive.

After Kevin retired in 2018, the couple spent innumerable days traveling in their Airstream camper, exploring our beautiful country and reconnecting with far-flung friends and extended family. Most recently, this past fall, they led a caravan of 29 Airstreamers from Duluth, Minnesota to Breaux Bridge, Louisiana along the Mississippi River. Having grown up just 12 miles from the river, this trip was especially meaningful for Cheryl.

For the last four years, Cheryl and Kevin spent their winters on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Cheryl especially cherished socializing with their friends in Florida as well as frequenting local restaurants and dancing to live music with Kevin. Many of these activities and relationships inspired Cheryl and Kevin's decision last summer to become Florida residents. In July, the couple moved to Venice, Florida.

Cheryl's family has taken solace in the memories of her caring thoughtfulness, her infectious laugh, and her unyielding empathy. Her final words were to Kevin, the great love of her life: "I love you, too."

Cheryl is survived by her husband Kevin Charles Garrett; son, Nathan Alexander McChesney Garrett (Ingrid Larson) of Hayward, Wisconsin; daughter, Rachel Katherine McChesney Garrett (Peter Johnson) and their expected child of Green Bay, Wisconsin; sister, Linda Eisenmayer (Tom Eisenmayer) of Anchorage, Alaska; sister, Marlene McChesney (fiancé, Danny Welter) of Cascade, Iowa; brother, Kurt McChesney (Ursula McChesney) of Gladstone, Illinois; as well as a plethora of much-loved cousins, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents and her niece, Elizabeth Eisenmayer.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday February 9, 2022 at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church located at 900 Stillwater Road in Mahtomedi, Minnesota. The visitation will begin at 9:30 am followed by an 11:00am funeral. In accordance with local heath restrictions, masks will be required inside St. Andrews. Both of these events are open to the public.

Two days later, Cheryl's body will be lovingly interred during a private graveside service at the Olena Cemetery in Henderson County, Illinois. This final resting place is but a few short miles from her childhood home.

In lieu of flowers, Cheryl's family has requested that remembrances be given in the form of contributions to the following organizations:

The Henderson County Public Library "Cheryl McChesney Memorial" (in memo line) 110 Hill Crest Drive, Biggsville, Illinois 61418

Chapter EP, PEO
"Cheryl McChesney Memorial" (in memo line)
c/o Leigh Stewart, 7538 Aspen Cove S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016

Banks & Beals Funeral Home of Stronghurst, Illinois is assisting with local arrangements.