Cheryl Kay Pankow, age 74, of Willmar, passed away Tuesday evening, March 26, at the St. Cloud Hospital from complications of Type I diabetes. She met her health challenges with faith, prayer, and never-ending courage.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 3, at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Interment will be at a later date at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com
Cheryl Kay Pankow was born on March 4, 1950, in Wahpeton, North Dakota, the daughter of Lester and Darline (Buck) Vogeler. She grew up on a farm near Wahpeton, was baptized, confirmed and married at Peace Lutheran Church in Barney, North Dakota. Cheryl started school in a one room country school and graduated from Wahpeton High School in 1968. She earned her bachelor's degree from North Dakota State University, her master's degree from Purdue University and her doctorate degree from the University of North Dakota. On June 10, 1972, Cheryl was united in marriage to Terry Pankow and they made their home in Indiana and moved to Crookston in 1979. Cheryl taught mathematics at the University of Crookston for 13 years. In 1994, they moved to Willmar and Cheryl taught math for over 22 years at Ridgewater College, retiring in 2016. She was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and active with the altar guild and Lutheran Women's Missions League (LWML). Cheryl enjoyed teaching and visiting with people. She was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins.
She is survived by her loving husband, Terry of Willmar; one son, Brent Pankow of Willmar; two grandsons; one uncle, Lyle Vogeler of Hamel; and one aunt, Hilda Vogeler of Fargo, ND.; besides other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Barbara; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
