Cheri Horsley

Cheri Horsley passed away in her sleep at home in Edmond, Ok. Cheri was born on September 27th 1948 in Lovell, Wyoming to Arthur William (Bill) and Kathryn June Straw Horsley who were surprised and excited to have not just one baby but two. Bill’s father delivered the twins, Shelley was born fifteen minutes before Cheri.

Cheri was a wonderfully smart and feisty daughter. She grew to be one who advocated for those less fortunate and was always ready to fight injustice and to protect nature and the environment.

Cheri grew up mostly in Sioux City, IA, graduating from Central High School. She graduated from the University of Iowa in 1971 with a degree in social work. She then completed her masters in water quality and management at the University of Idaho in Moscow. She worked in Phoenix for the Inter Tribal Council in their water department where she worked to bring clean water to many who lived on reservations in Arizona.

Besides bringing clean water to those who needed it, her other goal was to enrich the lives of her nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews by teaching them to fish and hike. Since she never had children of her own she loved instilling a love of the outdoors in other people's children. She loved taking the youngest of the group on their first hikes. She was a fierce cheerleader for youth and their abilities to do hard things. These memories with Aunt Cheri will be treasured forever.

Cheri spent much of her life as a single woman which brought many challenges, but she was tough and always up for those challenges. At age 57 Cheri reunited with her high school sweetheart Ralph Gregory Messenger. They spent many wonderful years in Helena, Montana throwing clay pots and platters. She adored this time learning and creating alongside Greg. They later divorced, but remained close friends and companions.

Cheri's other loves were backpacking, camping, and fly fishing. She was an avid outdoorsman, and felt most at home in nature.She worked on the trails for the Idaho Forest Service and loved rock collecting. Cheri also loved bluegrass music, and putting on her favorite cowboy boots and going dancing.

Cheri was very creative. She painted china and mugs and made beautiful pendants out of turquoise. Cheri embroidered beautiful roses and other flowers on shirts, pillow cases and towels. She was also a very good cook! She loved to cook anything with shrimp!

She loved to garden and make jam. She had a wonderfully green thumb passed down to her from those ancestors that came before her. She respected the things they taught her and always lived to make them proud.

As per her wishes, she will be buried near her parent's and the hills of her ancestors.There will be a memorial and graveside service in Montpelier, Idaho Saturday June 1st. We encourage all who knew and loved her to get outside and enjoy the beauty of the Earth as she did so often in this life.

Cheri is survived by her twin, Shelley Miller, Los Angeles, CA, sister Cyd H Mechem (John) Mesa, AZ, brother Cole Horsley, Cannon Beach, OR, sister Kristin H Steele (Shaun) Eagle, ID and her many nieces and nephews and family who loved her dearly.

We are grateful for eternal families and know we will someday see her again.