Cheryl Matthews

Cheryl Rose Matthews (Verhagen) of Minnetonka, MN passed away on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at the age of 73. She was born on February 7, 1951, in Neillsville, WI. She grew up in Chile, WI and later in Grayslake, IL.

She worked most of her life in customer service with medical supply companies and for a few years as a portrait photographer, where she particularly enjoyed photographing the little kids.

She enjoyed many creative outlets including photography, music, gardening, painting ceramics and general crafting. She also enjoyed travel and loved going to Minnesota’s North Shore. Music was the most of enduring of these interests. She was diagnosed with “Dementia with Lewy Bodies” in 2020. As her illness progressed, music was one constant that continued to bring her joy. She was a staunch supporter of her family and was deeply loved by them.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Vera Verhagen and siblings Gary Verhagen, Bonnie Kitzhaber and Vergie Opal.

She is survived by her loving husband, Alan Matthews, and children, Derek Gaudish, Mike Matthews (Kris), Kristen Bender (Todd), grandchildren and great grandchildren, brother, Gene (Geri) Verhagen, and nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life on her birthday, February 7, 2025, at Kapala Glodek-Malone Funeral Home in New Hope, MN. Visitation at 1:00pm and celebration will start at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in honor of her to the charity of your choice.