Cheryl Mae (Hanson) Hallquist, 80, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2026.
Cheryl was born April 16, 1945 in Sioux City, Iowa by parents Orvan and Corinne (Cusick) Hanson were she was raised on a farm in Soldier, Iowa. She was a high school graduate from East Monona, Iowa and later graduated from Dana College in Blair, Nebraska where she met her future husband of 59 years, Jon Hallquist. They would marry at Soldier Lutheran Church in August 28, 1966. Cheryl was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church and was a proud member of the Beta Sigma Phi-Xi Gamma Chapter 217 along with being a diehard Chiefs Mahomy Fan and attending numerous Chiefs training camps with cousins and grandkids.
She began her teaching career at Britt, Iowa where she taught for two years, teaching P.E. and Cheerleading, and would retire from teaching ISS in Atlantic, Iowa after nineteen years. Upon her retirement she moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, moving away from good friends to be close to family and the love of her life, grandkids.
She had a true love for life and a even greater love for her family. She never missed a beat when it came to the people she cared about. Social by nature, she loved being around others and had a way of making everyone feel welcome. She could often be found cheering on her grandchildren and great grandchildren at their games and activities, always proud and present even with a snide remark. She cherished time spent with friends and family, especially the moments that filled her home with laughter. No birthday ever went uncelebrated in her family, she believed every moment and every person was worth honoring. Her strong family values with a marriage to Jon for over 59 years showed her deep devotion to those she loved, they were at the heart of who she loved.
Cheryl is survived by her husband, Jon Hallquist; sons, Jay (Amy) and Jason (Jennifer) Hallquist; grandchildren, Cheyenne Hallquist, Peyton (Tucker) McDonald, Aidan Hallquist, Kenna Hallquist, Colt Hallquist, and Carsyn Hallquist; great grandchildren, Keaton Hallquist, Kennedi Williams, Taysom Ladd, Avani Foster, Bridger McDonald, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by parents, Orvan and Corinne (Cusick) Hanson; In-laws Ralph and Eleanor (Peterson) Hallquist; and brothers, Jerry (Barb) and Phil (Erika) Hanson.
Services for Cheryl will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Friday, March 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM, with a luncheon to follow at the Church.
Visitation will begin at 5:00 PM Thursday, March 12, 2026 at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel.
Memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, St. Paul Lutheran Church, or donor's choice.
An Inurment at Evergeen cemetery in Red Oak, Iowa will be held at a later date.
