Cheryl Ann Dammann's Obituary
On the evening of June 10, 2024 at 8:20pm, we lost our dear wife, mother and grandmother, Cheryl Ann Dammann at age 66 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She had a hard fought eight-year battle, starting with cancer and then followed by many complications and setbacks. Cheryl was extraordinarily strong, leaving her doctors in awe every time she experienced another miracle, earning herself the title of “the rising phoenix.” In the end, after two months in the hospital and no more options for recovery, she bravely decided on her own to end the fight, go home to her favorite place, and wait to be at peace with Bentley who has been waiting for her with puppy kisses in Heaven.
Cheryl was born in Crosby, Minnesota on June 4, 1958 to George Roth and Kathryn (Valencich) Goedderz. She attended Ironton Grade School, Riverton Middle School, and Crosby-Ironton High School. Lee and Cheryl were married on August 16, 1985 in Crosby, Minnesota. Shortly after their honeymoon in Hawaii, they moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for Lee’s new career. Cheryl's passion for helping people began as a rehab aide at Mercy Hospital where she met some of her closest lifelong friends. She spent many years working as a teacher’s aid in the Oshkosh Area School district, where she impacted hundreds of students’ lives and created lasting connections with colleagues.
Cheryl had many simple joys in life, including sipping chai tea lattes on her deck surrounded by chipmunks and birds, eating at new restaurants with friends, and being a proud American with a love of flags, eagles, and parades. Her favorite time of year was summer where she enjoyed exploring areas of her neighborhood with Lee on their recumbent bikes that made her “feel free again,” planting gorgeous flowers in her garden, and returning to the beloved camping grounds at Yogi Bear with her family. She loved sharing recipes online and had an even better time getting Lee and her kids to help her make them at home. Craft shows were one of her favorite places to go in search of snowmen, gnomes, and most recently, dragonflies, to keep her spirits bright. Cheryl had the biggest heart for all animals and donated to many charities to support them and help find them forever homes. She reminisced fondly about Florida vacations and always dreamt of getting back to the beach someday. Above all else, Cheryl's greatest honor was being a grammy and she cherished every second she got to spend time with her grandchildren and made sure to attend every single school or sporting event.
Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents Kathryn Goedderz and George Roth, two brothers Roger and Ronald Goedderz, sister-in-law Lorena Goedderz, many different pets, and her favorite dog in the world, Bentley.
Cheryl is survived by her husband Lee, daughter Mariah, daughter Lexi (Max Knol), and three grandchildren, Emma, Ethan, and Lucy Steffes.
We want to voice our heartfelt appreciation to the exceptional medical teams at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and Mercy Hospital and Aurora Hospital in Oshkosh, Wisconsin for believing in her will to live and for taking care of her for so many days.
Funeral services for Cheryl will be held on Saturday June 15, at 2:00 PM in Fiss & Bills-Poklasny Funeral Home (865 S Westhaven Dr. Oshkosh) Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 1:00 PM until the hour of services.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Oshkosh Area Humane Society. Cheryl wanted every animal to be safe and loved.
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