Cheryl Peterson was creative, determined, and always curious

Cheryl Lynn Peterson enjoyed life most when she was spending time with family and friends, always having fun while enjoying life. She was creative, determined, liked simplicity, and was always curious. At the age of 79, Cheryl passed away Wednesday, January 24, 2024, peacefully at home in Roscoe, Illinois.

A Celebration of Life service will be held 2pm, Sunday, January 28, 2024 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2336 Freeport Road, Rockton, Illinois, followed by a reception in the Church Hall. A memorial has been established for the Church.

Cheryl was born May 15, 1944 in Freeport, the daughter of Miles and Faye (Cross) Kunkle. She grew up in Rockford and attended West High School, graduating with the Class of 1963. Cheryl found a life-long love when she met Bruce Peterson. They were married October 12, 1963 in Rockford. They raised three children, Brian, Kelly and Tricia, and celebrated over 54 years of marriage, until Bruce’s passing May 12, 2018.

Cheryl worked as a beautician, just like her mom. She attended the Rockford School of Beauty Culture and earned her associate degree in Small Business Management at Rock Valley College in 1986. Cheryl liked getting to know her clients and enjoyed the instant satisfaction of doing their hair. It gave her a way to socialize and get something done, and she loved being busy. After retirement, Cheryl and Bruce moved to Toney, Alabama to enjoy the southern climate and be close to her son Brian. After Bruce passed, Cheryl returned to Roscoe.

Cheryl loved the look on people’s faces when she gave them one of her crafts. She made so many different types of crafts, including painted wood or canvas, decorated dish towels, diamond dots, necklaces, and bracelets. Her specialty was making blessing bracelets to remind folks of God’s love. At one time, she had made 500 and gave them all away. Cheryl enjoyed hanging out with friends, especially talking and having coffee at Dee Dee’s. She was thoughtful and always concerned about those she loved.

Cheryl will be dearly missed by her three children, Brian (Patty) Peterson of Huntsville, Alabama, Kelly (Greg) Johnson of Rockton, Illinois and Tricia (Brian) Meyer of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin; seven grandchildren, Thomas Peterson, Steven Kennedy (Jacqueline), Nicholas (Victoria) Johnson, Erik Johnson, Courtney (Ben) Klatt, Carson Meyer and Caleb Meyer; three great-grandchildren, Noah Kennedy, Arabella Kennedy and Lochlan Kennedy; and a sister, Judy Mantzke of Freeport, Illinois. She was called Aunt Cheryl by many. Cheryl is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bruce, and her brother-in-law, Donald “Butch” Mantzke.

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