Cheryl Gerdes

Cheryl Lynn Rieken, daughter of Henry and Vera (Piper) Rieken, was born Sunday, October 13, 1957 at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver, Colorado. She lived her first nine months with her grandparents Fredrick and Velma Piper while her mother recovered from polio. Cheryl was baptized February 16, 1958 by Pastor Arthur Huneke and confirmed May 31, 1971 by Pastor Alan Laurenzen, both at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Johnson, Nebraska. She received her elementary education at District #19 in Johnson County, and graduated from Johnson-Brock High School in 1975.

After graduation Cheryl worked at the Johnson County Bank in Tecumseh. She later worked at Eggers Brothers south of Johnson and at Sid?s Auto Parts in Tecumseh.

On July 12, 1997 Cheryl was united in marriage to Wayne Gerdes in Coryell Park near Brock, Nebraska. This marriage also brought the union of her children Trisha, Tonya, Brian, Shari, and Ashley with his children Jeremy, Christopher, Philip, Nathaniel, Michelle, and Randall. Cheryl and Wayne made their home near Johnson, and in 1998 purchased and operated the Johnson Quik Stop.

One of Cheryl?s greatest qualities was helping others, and she organized or worked on many fundraisers to help those in need. She also loved gardening and canning the produce she harvested. A favorite pastime was attending auctions and garage sales, and she rarely returned from one without something in her arms. From the time she was a young child, Cheryl had a love for books and was an avid reader. Because of this passion, she was instrumental in the opening of a library in Johnson.

Although Cheryl was diagnosed with cancer, she didn?t give in easily. She continued to be active in the business, the community, and with her family. She eventually was confined to her home, however, and it was there she passed away on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at the age of 53 years and 27 days. She died on her own terms, surrounded by her family. Cheryl was preceded in death by her father Henry Rieken, grandson Damian Gerdes, and grandparents Fredrick and Velma Piper and Rieke and Tina Rieken.

Cheryl is survived by her husband Wayne of Johnson; children Trisha (Joel) Kelsay; Tonya (Chris) Kramer; Brian Gerdes; Shari (Gabe)Berglund; Ashley Caspers; Jeremy (Jana) Gerdes; Christopher (Dana) Gerdes; Philip (Crystal) Gerdes; Nathaniel (Alecia) Gerdes; Michelle (Douglas) Hoff; Randall Gerdes and fiancée Rachelle; 19 grandchildren; mother Vera Rieken of Johnson; brother Craig (Gina) Rieken of Johnson; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.