Cheron Lurae Boland

Cheron was born on April 5, 1937, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, to Bryan Mitchell Cruse and Clara Augusta Christina Koester Cruse. She grew up in Steamboat Springs, where she began skiing at just 4 years old and embraced life with energy, grace, and joy. As a young woman, she earned a ballet scholarship, performed as a drum majorette, was crowned Prom Queen, and was active as a Rainbow Girl. Her lifelong love of animals began early, with her first dog, lovingly named Bow Wow, when she was only 1 year old.

Cheron graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 1955 before continuing her education at Colorado Teachers College, now the University of Northern Colorado, where she earned her teaching degree in 1959. While there, she was seated alphabetically next to a handsome young man named Gerald “Sonny” Boland. The two began dating, and upon graduation, they chose Lyons, Colorado, as the place to begin their careers and build a future together.

On August 2, 1959, Cheron married Gerald Franklin Boland. That fall, they began their work as educators in Lyons. A few years later, they purchased a home in North St. Vrain Canyon above the community they loved so dearly. They lived there for 54 years, until the flood of 2013 destroyed their home and took Gerry’s life.

Cheron taught fourth grade at Lyons Elementary School for four years before taking 15 years away from the classroom to raise her three children. When she returned to education, she served as an English as a Second Language specialist with the St. Vrain Valley School District. In that role, she helped students adjust to life in America, built their confidence, and encouraged them to see the possibilities ahead of them. She retired in 1994, but her patience, encouragement, and dedication continued to make a lasting difference. Many former students, now with families of their own, still remember and acknowledge the guidance she offered during an important and often challenging time in their lives.

Throughout her life, Cheron held a variety of jobs that reflected her strong work ethic and generous spirit, including lifeguarding at the Steamboat Springs Hot Springs Pool, working as a keypunch operator at the Colorado State Capitol, teaching dance, and working for JCPenney. She brought patience, intelligence, and care to everything she did. Above all, her most treasured role was being “Mom” to Holli, Amy, and Brent, while also lovingly supporting Gerry in his work coaching and teaching the students and athletes of Lyons.

Cheron was active in the Lyons Lions Club and was blessed with many meaningful friendships and social circles. She cherished her colleagues, neighbors, and friends, and after the flood, she showed remarkable strength as she rebuilt her life. She loved talking about politics, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren, and she had a gift for making those around her feel seen, valued, and special.

Cheron is survived by her children, Holli Stetson (Scott), Amy Boland Hoh, and Brent Boland (Sarah); her grandchildren, Nikki Knapton (Luke), Landon Stetson (Ashley), Asa Boland, and Amos Boland; and her great-grandchildren, Blakely Knapton, Weston Knapton, Sunny Lurae Knapton, and Holden Stetson. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gerald Franklin Boland, and her parents, Bryan Mitchell Cruse and Clara Augusta Christina Koester Cruse.

Cheron will be remembered for her compassionate heart, her dedication to education, and the countless ways she encouraged and cared for her family, friends, students, and community. She created opportunities for others, offered steady support, and shared her tremendous heart generously. Her legacy will live on in the many lives she touched throughout her remarkable life.

Services will be held:

August 13th, 2026 2pm

The River Church

18668 N St Vrain Dr, Lyons, CO 80540