Cheryl Russell
April 3, 1950 ~ October 22, 2021
Cheryl Russell, 71, of Mount Vernon, passed away on October 22, 2021, at St Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, after a spirited battle with Covid. She was with family at bedside and surrounded by love.
Cheryl was born Cheryl Ellen Rutherford on April 3, 1950, to Glenn and Maxine Rutherford in Manilla, Iowa. She graduated from Washington High School in Cedar Rapids in 1968, and received a bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa in 1972. She returned to school at Kirkwood to become a respiratory therapist.
While working at St. Luke's Hospital, Cheryl met her future husband, Arlen Russell and they were married in 1984. They had their first child, Curtis, in 1985 and their second child, Colin in 1986. The family eventually settled in Mount Vernon, Iowa, in 1991 where Cheryl put down roots and became very involved in the community. Cheryl returned to school again for her horticulture degree to further her life-long love of growing things. She eventually opened her own business gardening and making homemade soap.
Her greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren in recent years. Cheryl was known to celebrate every birthday with a homemade chocolate angel food cake. She cultivated the most impressive gardens and loved all things Irish. Even in retirement Cheryl was perpetually picking up hobbies and traveling. Cheryl could be found knitting, reading, gardening, baking, making soap, sewing, crafting, learning Irish, researching the family genealogy, eating dark chocolate, and becoming a fierce pickle ball player.
In 2020, Cheryl was diagnosed with and conquered Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Even during chemotherapy Cheryl had the drive and energy to plan and go on her final trip to Ireland and Scotland with her husband and friends.
Cheryl is preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Maxine; and step father, Walter. She is survived by her husband, Arlen; children, Curtis (Sheila) of Van Meter, Colin (Jordan) of Earlham; grandchildren, Jaxson and Rhett; brother, Lynn Rutherford; and sister-in-law, Linda Stumpff Rutherford.
In lieu of sending flowers, please plant your own flowers or trees in your yard or community in remembrance of Cheryl. A celebration of life will be held in Spring of 2022.
Please share your support and memories with Cheryl's family on her Tribute Wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries.
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Mount Vernon
Fond memories of when we worked at Bishops cafeteria, then our paths crossed again when I moved to Lisbon and found you living in Mount Vernon!
Cheryl made beautiful gifts for my daughter Sara’s wedding ! Wonderful lady with a beautiful smile ! God be with you and your family ❤️🙏
Cheryl was one of the kindest most generous persons I have met. She made our gardens and flower pots beautiful every year for 20 yrs. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Russell family
Cheryl will always be remembered for the beauty she brought to Mount Vernon. Thoughts and Prayers to her family.
With heartfelt condolences,
Cheryl was our next door neighbor for the past 8 years & was such an awesome lady. We can’t imagine our daily life without her friendly face across the yard. She was always moving, creating & contributing. Always right there anytime we needed her. Always making the world more beautiful. All our love to Arlen & the whole Russell clan. She will be so missed. We will be planting a tree to honor her love of nature & in appreciation for all of her help & advice with our yard over the years. Jason, Lori, Jack & Georgia Pierce❤️
Our sincere condolences to Cheryl’s family. Her memory lives on in our back yard in the two flower gardens she designed for us. We think of her often.
We will remember Cheryl with her beautiful smile and her giving spirit. She has always been an inspiration to me for her generous and caring nature.
So, sorry for you loss. We have so many good memories of Cheryl & Arlene. All the ball games our boys shared and the trips made on their behalf. You will be missed. Condolences – from Bill & Donna Bacher
Sending love to your family,
Although we never met Cheryl, we know the impact she made by raising such great kids and grandkids. We are thinking of you Russell family!.
Cheryl will be deeply missed. We spent time in our gardens this morning , recalling her much needed gardening advice. Our sympathy to her family.
So very sorry to hear of Cheryl’s passing. Her passing is a substantial loss to the community and will leave a void. She certainly will be missed by many. Sympathies to her family.
We are so sorry for your loss. Cheryl lived life to the fullest and she will be missed by everyone she touched.
Cheryl was a treasure, one of those unique individuals who always had a ready smile and a positive outlook. She recently helped us replan out backyard after the derecho and the trees we are planting will forever be known as “Cheryl’s trees.” Years ago Cheryl shared her home with me when we were both newly single. We remained friends for many years. We are so sorry for your loss and extend to you, her family, our deepest sympathy. Jan and Chuck Kupka
Cheryl was a constant..constantly cheerful, constantly engaged, constantly smiling and cheerful. My world and our world will be different without her for sure. Please be kind, empathetic and cheerful towards each other in her memory..this is who she was to me.
A tragic loss of a compassionate, caring, fun loving woman. My deepest sympathies Arlen and sons, Lynn and Linda.
Cheryl was one of our daughter’s favorite “Mom” for whose children Patti babysat. Curtis and Colin probably wouldn’t even remember Patti because they were so young at the time. This was in Cedar Rapids before they moved to Mount Vernon. I remember Cheryl’s smile, her kindness, and her exuberance for life. Our sympathies to the family.
Cheryl will be deeply missed. We will always remember the wonderful flowers she planted. Truly a gift we will remember every time we see a beautiful garden. Uncle Butch and Danny Tatak family.
I lived just down the street from Cheryl in Mount Vernon. Her yard and house were beautiful. I recently married my husband Paul and we live together in Feohanagh, Ireland. We will plant a native Irish tree in our yard here in her honor. Rest in peace, Cheryl. Our sympathies to family and friends.
Cheryl is my first cousin and I loved spending time with her and my auntie Maxine when I was younger especially every Thanksgiving. She was gifted in all that she did and was truly one of a kind. Even though she is gone in body she will be remembered by the ones she touched in life. Love ya always cuz.
I worked with Cheryl in the NICU at St Lukes. She was always so friendly with a smile and a funny story to tell. The babies were in good hands when she was working. So sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Cheryl. I met her at our Mt. Vernon garden club and so enjoyed her friendship. I loved her smile and how she shared her knowledge of plants . I will miss her, but so glad I got to know her. Jeanne Duppong
I was so shocked and saddened to learn of Cheryl’s passing and my heartfelt sympathy to her family and many friends. Although Cheryl and I never lived in close proximity to one another, we have stayed in touch the past several years and I loved her vivacious personality. I treasure all she taught me about our family genealogy and hope she is now reuniting with those souls she learned about in her research. God speed Cheryl!
Despite the fact we both came from Cedar Rapids, Cheryl and I met when we lived on the only coed floor of the first coed dorm at the University of Iowa. She was a vivacious and fun friend. Although tiny, she packed a punch. You knew she was in the room and you were so grateful to have her in your life.
Cheryl and i met in the citizen police academy classes. We met for lunch several times. She was so talented and always perky and fun! Im so sorry to hear this. My heart goes out to her family.
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss… Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
I was so sorry to hear of Cheryl passing. A light is definitely gone from the world. She projected kindness and was always smiling and laughing. She will be missed by all.
In memory of Cheryl Russell. So many wonderful memories of working together in the NICU.