Cheralyn "Cher" Matthews

Cheralyn "Cher" Matthews, 76, of Arnold's Park, IA passed away Saturday, August 17, 2024 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease. 

A Celebration of Life will be at 4:00 PM Wednesday, August 21st at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, Sioux City, IA. A visitation with family present will be held before the service at 3:00 PM.

Cheralyn was born August 18, 1947, in Onawa, the daughter of Archie McFarland and Elsie (Hennum) McFarland. She was raised in Whiting and graduated from Whiting High School in 1965. Cheralyn pursued her teaching degree and graduated from Morningside College in 1969. She married Jon Matthews on September 24, 1966, in Sloan, IA. The couple farmed together outside of Whiting for 33 years until Jon's death in 2000. Cheralyn continued to operate the farm for many years and took pride in knowing she was one of the few female farm owner/operators in the state. Cheralyn served on the Whiting School Board and the Pleasant View Care Center Board of Directors for many years. She spent her last 24 years living in Okoboji and spending winters in a variety of beautiful warm locations. Her lake home was always a place of laughter and love for her children and grandchildren. Many summer boating/beach days, card games, roller coaster rides, and Tipsy House adventures were had with Grandma. Cher never met a stranger, had a million dollar smile, and never let anyone enter her home without immediately putting a drink or food in their hands. She found joy in every situation. Her support and love for her family was ever present and will be forever missed.

Survivors include her son and his wife, Brian and Jenifer Matthews of Prior Lake, MN; a daughter and her husband, Sara Matthews and John Baumhover of Dubuque, IA; seven grandchildren, Cole, Dawson (Emily), and Gabrielle Matthews, and Jacob, Zachary, Lauren, and Ashlyn Matthews Schmitz; a sister, Joyce Mann, and a brother-in-law and wife, Bob and Jan Matthews. 

Cheralyn was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Jon Matthews.