In Memory Of
Cheryl Beth Nelson
1943
2022
Cheryl Beth Nelson
December 22, 1943 — February 3, 2022
Cheryl Beth Nelson passed away February 3, 2022, in her sleep and in her own bed in her own home-just as she wanted it. How does one capture the essence of a woman like Cheryl in just a few paragraphs? For those who knew her, you know she was a strongly devoted and proud mother and grandmother, a tireless hard worker, gardener extraordinaire and pastry chef who loved baking enough goodies to feed an army. A child of the depression, she believed in making something out of nothing and fixing anything before considering a new purchase. She was a fierce advocate for her son, Randy, who had physical disabilities and her daughter's greatest fan and cheerleader, always present with words of encouragement and a warm hug.
Cheryl was born on December 22, 1943, to Ida and Clifton Vuncannon and grew up on a farm in Waverly Kansas. A daddy's girl, she loved being outdoors on the back of her horse, helping with chores and playing with the animals. She was a member of 4H and loved to show her pony at the local fairs. She attended a one-room schoolhouse for many years and graduated from Waverly High School in 1961. She attended Baker University and was a member of Phi Mu sorority.
Cheryl married Darrell Nelson on December 22, 1963. They later divorced, but remained good friends, continuing to spend time together with their children, especially for KU basketball games, holidays, and sharing babysitting duties for their grandchildren.
Outdoors with her hands in the dirt was where Cheryl was most content. It was her therapy. She dug her own three-foot deep fishpond in her backyard, lining it with rocks she had gathered in the countryside. The sound of the waterfall soothed her soul. In 1972, she and Darrell purchased her dream home-an old farmhouse built in 1904. There wasn't an inch of that house she didn't touch-painting, wallpapering and decorating it to make it a comfy, cozy home for her family. With 22 acres, she had two horses and a huge garden. She continued her love of riding throughout her adult life. In 1966, she gave birth to her daughter, Darla and Randy came along the next year. She was a tireless mother, so committed to her children. She'd stay up all night to make the perfect Halloween costume or hem a cheerleading skirt. Later, Darla gave her five grandchildren, Carter, Connor, Cayden, Camryn and Quinlyn of whom she was extremely proud. She loved spending time with them and as they grew, keeping them busy and teaching them the value of hard work through outdoor chores and odd jobs.
Cheryl worked for many years at General Printing as a bookkeeper where she developed lifelong friendships with the girls in the office and the guys in the plant. She enjoyed her "lunch bunch" until her recent health issues prevented her attendance. She later went on to work in accounting for Newcomer Funeral Service Group. She retired in 2013.
Cheryl was a no-nonsense, penny-pinching, stubborn yet gentle, selfless, and loving lady. She was an avid KU fan and a lover of horses and dogs. She leaves behind her two cocker spaniels, Lady and Coalette. She also leaves behind her daughter, Darla, favorite son-in-law, Charles, and five grandchildren, Carter, Connor, Cayden, Camryn and Quinlyn. She also leaves behind many foster grandchildren of whom she welcomed into her family with open arms. She is also survived by her sister, Norma Jane Peak, three nieces and two nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her friend and former husband, Darrell and son, Randy.
It was Cheryl's wish for family and friends to gather in remembrance and celebration of her life. She did not enjoy the winter and eagerly awaited the arrival of spring when she could get back outside. Therefore, it is appropriate that a spring celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.
Suggestions for memorial contributions are Families Together, Inc., 5611 SW Barrington Ct. S, Topeka, KS 66614, where Darla works with families that include a child with a disability or the Helping Hands Humane Shelter 5720 SW 21st St, Topeka, KS 66604.
To leave a message for Cheryl's family, please visit the guestbook below.
Cheryl was born on December 22, 1943, to Ida and Clifton Vuncannon and grew up on a farm in Waverly Kansas. A daddy's girl, she loved being outdoors on the back of her horse, helping with chores and playing with the animals. She was a member of 4H and loved to show her pony at the local fairs. She attended a one-room schoolhouse for many years and graduated from Waverly High School in 1961. She attended Baker University and was a member of Phi Mu sorority.
Cheryl married Darrell Nelson on December 22, 1963. They later divorced, but remained good friends, continuing to spend time together with their children, especially for KU basketball games, holidays, and sharing babysitting duties for their grandchildren.
Outdoors with her hands in the dirt was where Cheryl was most content. It was her therapy. She dug her own three-foot deep fishpond in her backyard, lining it with rocks she had gathered in the countryside. The sound of the waterfall soothed her soul. In 1972, she and Darrell purchased her dream home-an old farmhouse built in 1904. There wasn't an inch of that house she didn't touch-painting, wallpapering and decorating it to make it a comfy, cozy home for her family. With 22 acres, she had two horses and a huge garden. She continued her love of riding throughout her adult life. In 1966, she gave birth to her daughter, Darla and Randy came along the next year. She was a tireless mother, so committed to her children. She'd stay up all night to make the perfect Halloween costume or hem a cheerleading skirt. Later, Darla gave her five grandchildren, Carter, Connor, Cayden, Camryn and Quinlyn of whom she was extremely proud. She loved spending time with them and as they grew, keeping them busy and teaching them the value of hard work through outdoor chores and odd jobs.
Cheryl worked for many years at General Printing as a bookkeeper where she developed lifelong friendships with the girls in the office and the guys in the plant. She enjoyed her "lunch bunch" until her recent health issues prevented her attendance. She later went on to work in accounting for Newcomer Funeral Service Group. She retired in 2013.
Cheryl was a no-nonsense, penny-pinching, stubborn yet gentle, selfless, and loving lady. She was an avid KU fan and a lover of horses and dogs. She leaves behind her two cocker spaniels, Lady and Coalette. She also leaves behind her daughter, Darla, favorite son-in-law, Charles, and five grandchildren, Carter, Connor, Cayden, Camryn and Quinlyn. She also leaves behind many foster grandchildren of whom she welcomed into her family with open arms. She is also survived by her sister, Norma Jane Peak, three nieces and two nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her friend and former husband, Darrell and son, Randy.
It was Cheryl's wish for family and friends to gather in remembrance and celebration of her life. She did not enjoy the winter and eagerly awaited the arrival of spring when she could get back outside. Therefore, it is appropriate that a spring celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.
Suggestions for memorial contributions are Families Together, Inc., 5611 SW Barrington Ct. S, Topeka, KS 66614, where Darla works with families that include a child with a disability or the Helping Hands Humane Shelter 5720 SW 21st St, Topeka, KS 66604.
To leave a message for Cheryl's family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Cheryl Beth Nelson, please visit our flower store.
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