Cheryl Ann McCool was born Jan. 18, 1953, to Kenneth and Mary Jane Hilpipre in Clarion, Iowa. They relocated to Minburn in 1959, where Cheryl grew up in a large family with seven siblings.
Cheryl passed away March 29, 2025, at the age of 72, surrounded by her family. Her radiant smile lit up any room she entered, and her passing has left a void her family can never fill.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, June 6 from 1-5 p.m. at the Perry Elks Lodge. We will honor Cheryl at 2 p.m. (her favorite time of the day) by remembering her life and hearing memories shared by family and friends.
We struggle to put into words just how much our mother’s life meant and cannot express how extraordinary her ordinary life was. To know Cheryl was to love Cheryl.
Cheryl lived her life the best way she knew how, by being a devoted mother, doting grandmother, a great sister, proud aunt, loving daughter and a dear friend.
She loved spending time with her family and friends, playing cribbage, rummy and other card games, cooking, listening to music and dancing, but Cheryl’s beautiful smile was what she was known for.
When Cheryl had children, she became a homemaker for several years before she opened a convenience store in Minburn, where we had the pleasure of working. After her children had grown and left home, she worked for her parents at Ken and Jane’s in Bouton for many years, where she met most of her lifelong friends.
Among the many memories we have growing up, one of our favorite family traditions was Friday night pizza and movie night with popcorn.
Cheryl could frequently be found playing music and dancing around the house while cleaning and cooking. She loved big bows in her hair, a comfy sweatshirt and wearing pins on her shirts for sparkle.
She would host the best gatherings, where anybody was welcome to join, from Easter egg hunts to Memorial Day and Labor Day parties, not to mention that her Thanksgiving and Christmas meals were amazing!
Cheryl is survived by her three daughters, Shana (Brian) Morrison of Adel, Cathy (Stacey) Freestone of Minburn and Renae (Brian) Sondgeroth of Minburn; five sisters, Colleen (Doug Silva) Boehm, Denise (Neil) Johnson, Jeanine (Kevin Carlson) Clark, Shelly (Larry) Ohrtman and Joline (Scott Ferguson) Newman; five grandchildren, Nicholas Morrison, Bailey (Hunter) Huss, Piper Freestone, Skylar Sondgeroth and Zoey Sondgeroth; one great-grandchild, Maverick Morrison; as well as several cousins; and many nieces and nephews.
Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Mary Jane Hilpipre; two brothers, Richard Hilpipre and Mark Hilpipre; as well as her longtime companion, Robert (Bob) Renshaw.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kavanagh House, where they provided her with the best care and support for the family. Cards can be sent to P.O. Box 46, Minburn, IA 50167.
