Memorial
Cheryl Lee Koehler George, 73, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, left her body Saturday, February 26, 2022, at her home. She was surrounded by her devoted family. She was comforted in her hospice bed by a photo montage of her life’s journey, her favorite music, and the many deer, birds, and other sundry wildlife that visited her backyard daily.
Cheryl was born on June 18, 1948, given to us by Arthur and Marguerite (Wennermark) Koehler. She was the “Big sister” to siblings Randy (Cedar Rapids) and Linda (Hammel of Delafield, Wisconsin). Left with memories and inspiration from Cheryl are her husband and caregiver Nick (together 51 years), daughter Nyssa (Gomez of Chicago), and son Dr. Nathaniel George (currently of Boston). Son-in-law Julio Gomez and daughter-in-law Dr. Susann Kassem are parents to Cheryl’s enduring legacy, her adoring grandchildren: Nola (6), Nicholas (3), and Nadim (22 months).
Cheryl graduated from Jefferson High School (’66), attended Coe College, and received her BA in Special Education from the University of Northern Iowa and her MA in Learning Disabilities from the University of Iowa. She shared her education with students at Linn-Mar Junior High School for eighteen years, before taking leave due to complications with Multiple Sclerosis.
As was her nature, Cheryl was a passionate, empathetic, and outstanding guide for her children and her students with learning disabilities. Her patience and capacity to accept everyone for who they were was generous, comforting, and infinite. Cheryl’s communication style was quiet and reserved, yet direct and incisive. “Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something.”
Prior to her disability with MS, Nick and Cheryl enjoyed road trips and camping. Among their many journeys together, the memory of their eight-day trip rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, stands out. Never one to voice complaint, Cheryl handled her more than forty-five years living with MS with incomparable grace and steadfastness. She was her family’s anchor throughout. Her soothing presence will be deeply missed.
Cheryl’s family would like to extend their deepest appreciation for the attention and care given to her by the remarkable team at Mercy Hospice.
Visitation will take place from 4:30 to 7pm, Tuesday, March 1, at St. George Eastern Orthodox Church in Cedar Rapids, where there will be a Trisagion service at 7pm. Funeral service will be held at 10am Wednesday, March 2, at St. George, officiated by Very Reverend Father Fred Shaheen. Face masks are required to attend.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the St. George Scholarship Fund at
https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/1303181
May Her Memory Be Eternal.