Cheryl Lynn Bartels was born in Hutchinson, Minnesota on December 29, 1956. She was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson and attended elementary and high school there as well. On her first date at age 16, she met the love of her life Tom Bipes and they were married on June 26, 1976. Tom and Cheryl moved to Houston Texas soon after their wedding where Tom began a career in Nondestructive Testing. Their first son Benjamin was born there in 1978. Another job change moved the young family back to Hutchinson, Minnesota in 1978 and their second son Daniel was born in 1981.
Cheryl worked at 3M and Hutchinson Technology while living in Hutchinson where Tom taught at the Vocational School. Another job change for Tom led the family to Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1986. Cheryl attended McKenzie College where she studied Computer Data Processing. She took a job with a bankruptcy attorney soon afterward, and eventually with the federal government where she was a paralegal for the bankruptcy court.
After their children were grown, Tom and Cheryl moved to Raleigh, North Carolina where Cheryl also worked as a paralegal in the bankruptcy system. Changes in jobs for Tom kept them both moving quite often, and in 2008 Tom took a job in Charlotte, North Carolina and Cheryl retired. Another opportunity for Tom allowed the couple to move back to Raleigh in 2010 close to family and friends.
While living in Raleigh in 2001, Cheryl discovered she had breast cancer. She received surgery and treatment including radiation and chemotherapy. During that time she lost all of her hair but eventually it grew back when the treatments were completed. Cheryl used to say, “A bad hair day is better than a no hair day any time!” In 2006 Cheryl and Tom celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary and five years of being cancer free.
In 2012 both sons were ready to begin married life, and while traveling from home with her sister Pam to make some wedding preparations, her car was hit from behind at a stop sign. Both Cheryl and Pam
went to the hospital but were released after careful examination. Later Cheryl suffered from back pain which was initially thought to be soreness from the car accident. However, after Cheryl and Tom demanded a more thorough investigation, it was found that her breast cancer had metastasized to her bones. This began a long regime of radiation and chemotherapy. The cancer also spread to her liver and pancreas. Cheryl was a fighter for six years and never let it stop her from living her best life. After treatment failed to keep the cancer at bay, Cheryl decided to stop treatments and go into hospice care at home in September of 2018. Tom’s job allowed him to work from home, so he was the primary care giver throughout the time before she passed.
Besides her business career, Cheryl had many activities in which she spent her time. She made many counted cross stich pictures for friends and family. She also enjoyed many activities outside the home involved with her church and community. Cheryl sang in the church choir and accompanied the choir with her flute at times. She also played handbells while living in Hutchinson and Charlotte. She belonged to the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and also led bible studies. She became a Stephen Minister with Tom in 1999 and provided Christian care to many other women. She also attended a Via de Cristo weekend with Tom and later served on many teams where she performed various support roles. One of the roles is to give a talk on ways in which to utilize your Christianity even when facing your own personal struggles. She was an inspiration to many people through her various outreach activities.
Cheryl loved her sons and eventually her two grandchildren Olivia and Hudson. They especially brought joy to her when she was struggling through cancer treatment. Cheryl was always thinking of and caring for other people instead of focusing on herself. She did not require fancy clothes or other things, but instead spent her time and efforts on caring for and loving others. Even when she could hardly walk any more, she was still coloring prayer cards that she gave to other women in need.
Cheryl was a devout Christian and her love for her Lord radiated from her wonderful smile. Her goal was to bring Christ into the world and especially to her family and grandchildren. She would often sing songs to them, including; “You are My Sunshine”, “This Little Light of Mine” and “I am Jesus Little Lamb”. Her prayer to you is that you know our Savior, and bring your children and grandchildren to know him as well.
Cheryl was preceded in death by her mother Kathryn Ovela (Farmer) Bartels and father Adolph Henry Bartels and an infant brother Chuck. She is survived by her husband Tom; son Benjamin and his wife Lindsay and their son Hudson; son Daniel and his wife Sarah and their daughter Olivia; brothers Howard and Glen and his wife Connie; sisters Madeline (Maggie) and Pam; nieces, nephews and many friends.
A memorial service will be held 2 pm Sunday January 20, 2019 at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 100 Lochmere Drive, Cary, North Carolina 27518. Charitable donations may be made to Resurrection Lutheran Church for the Love Fund which is used for families and individuals in need.
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