Obituaries : Cheryl Jeanne Raines Frese

Cheryl Jeanne Raines Frese, 74, formerly of Watkins, beloved and best friend of Donald H. Frese passed away at her home in Fairfax on Friday, January 21, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. A funeral mass will held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, at St Jude Catholic Church by Rev Mark Murphy.  Burial: Watkins Cemetery at a later date.  A Vigil Service will be held at 3 p.m., Monday at Teahen Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids, where friends may visit with the family following the Vigil Service until 7 p.m., and on Tuesday after 9:30 a.m., at the church. Due to concerns over COVID, family members and friends are strongly encouraged to wear a mask and social distance at the funeral home and church.

Cheryl was born in 1947 to Marvin and Lucille Thompson Raines in Vinton, Iowa.  Cheryl was the last class to graduate from Geneseo High School in 1965.  She then became a nurse tech for Mercy hospital in 1966 through the Mercy Nursing Tech program. 

Cheryl is survived by her husband Don, three children, nine grandchildren, and one soon to be great-grandson: Eric (Alisha) Frese, Jackson, Cora, & Enslee of Watkins, IA;  Tara (Justin) Kenadi, Kaylor, & Kooper Schulte of New London; Keli, Taitlyn, Rylee, and Emerson of Newhall, IA.  She is also survived by her mother-in-law Thelma Frese, two brother-in-law's John (Linda) Frese, Dennis Frese, many nephews, and two special nieces Shannon Suggs and Ashlee Bennett. 

Cheryl is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Robert and Marvin (Rick) Raines, and father-in-law Delbert Frese. 

On August 31st, 1971 Cheryl married the love of her life Donald.  Cheryl was the most supportive wife of Don's many endeavors.  Cheryl was a very loving, generous, caring, and supportive mother to her 3 children Eric, Tara, & Keli.  Cheryl was employed at Frontier Cooperative Herbs for 28 years.  

Cheryl will forever be known for her kind-hearted, positive, and happy go lucky self who always put others first and always wanted to make everyone smile.  Cheryl made friends everywhere she went and left lasting impressions on every occasion.  She was truly one in a million and has left a forever imprint on us all.  She surely taught her family & friends how to live. 

Cheryl was strong in her faith and was so very proud of her Cherokee heritage.   Cheryl and Don spent many years traveling.  They traveled all over the United States and especially enjoyed three trips to Europe.  Cheryl especially loved visiting churches during their travels.   She also enjoyed following and cheering on her son, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law coaching their teams.   Cheryl also loved going to old country, gospel, and bluegrass concerts.  She loved to read and loved to go shopping.   Her most favorite pastime of all was spending time with her grandchildren.  Cheryl called them her "grand angels" and will forever be known as "swag".   Her grandchildren were everything to her and there wasn't anything she wouldn't do for them.   She was most proud to be a swagma. 

The family would like to extend a special thank you for the care she has received over the years from the doctors, nurses, and staff; especially Dr. Saxena and the staff at the Infusion Center, St. Luke's Hospital. 

Instead of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for a charity of their choice.