Cheryl Jean (Reierson) Dehner was born on September 25, 1962, in Mobridge, South Dakota to Woodrow and Phyllis Reierson. She spent the first few years of her life living in Pollock, SD with her three older sisters and parents. She then moved to Hazen, North Dakota where she grew up and attended school. She was proud of her North Dakota roots, and often referred to North Dakota as “God’s Country”. Anyone who knew, or talked to mom, knew that this topic brought up some heated conversations, and mom’s claims that North Dakota has “mountains” (the badlands).
She then attended college at Dickinson State University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Her first teaching job brought her to Montana (the true God’s Country), where she planted roots and called home for the last 35 years. It was through mom’s teaching career that she was brought to Poplar, where she was introduced to the mysterious man across the street…. Ward Dehner, whom she stalked until she found out who he was, and the rest is history. They were married on June 27, 1987. They had three children, to whom mom credits her gray hair. She spent many weekends and school nights chasing her kids with their numerous sporting and school events. She was their biggest fan, and loudest, in the stands. This then trickled down to her following her grandkids, to where she was still, the loudest in the stands…shocker!
Mom loved music and if you ask any of her kids, if music was blaring on Saturday morning, chances were that day you were cleaning! She always had music playing in the classroom as well. Her students loved her, and she was always considered as one of the fun teachers who would literally get down on the floor, some students may remember the “dying cockroach”.
Teaching was truly her passion, she loved every aspect of it, and after 26 years of teaching in Poplar she retired. After a few years of retirement and being a “kept woman,” she went back to teaching in a different form; she taught Sunday school at Faith Free Lutheran Church and two years of Pre-school out of her house. Through working at the school mom made many great, life-long, friends that she cherished.
Mom was the life of the party and a true joy to be around. There were always laughs when you were around mom. Her home was open to anyone, she would just tell you to “ignore the mess”. She loved the Minnesota Vikings (no matter how disappointing they were) and her Norwegian heritage.
Family and God were mom’s main priorities. She loved her children and grandchildren with all her heart. She would spoil them rotten, much to their parents’ dislike. She would always tell her kids and grandkids, “no one loves you as much as I do”.
Mom passed away on September 21st at the age of 58 at Sanford Health in Fargo, North Dakota surrounded by her family.
Cheryl is preceded in death by her parents, sister Cynthia Miller, her Mother-in law and Father-in law Leon and Irene Dehner, and nephew Hunter Dehner.
She is survived by her husband ,Ward Dehner. Children: Lane (Yvette) Dehner of Poplar, Lauren (Kyle) Michels of Belfield, ND, and Laken (Charles) Pollock of Poplar. Her grandchildren: Carly, Madison and Garret Dehner, Adleigh and Braddex Michels, and Tamryn and Aubrey Pollock. Sisters: Ann (Earl) Wiedrich of Hazen, ND, Roberta (Allan) Pfliger of West Fargo ND. Brothers-in-law: Les (Jerine) Miller of Hazen, ND, Raymond (Su) Dehner of Fairbanks, AK, Todd Dehner of Sidney, and Dallas (Paula) Dehner of Culbertson. She had numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
Funeral services for Cheryl Dehner, 58, of Poplar, MT are Monday, September 27, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Free Lutheran Church in Brockton, MT, with Pastor Brandon Marchner officiating. Visitation will start Monday at the church at 10:00 a.m. Fulkerson-Stevenson Funeral Home of Sidney are caring for the family. Remembrances, condolences and pictures may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com.
David E. & Chong Ae Boyd says
Prayers to Ward and the rest of the family
Cam Martin says
To Ward & Families so sorry to hear about Cheryl what a character she was the one person that could entertain everybody. Take care Cam Martin & family.
David E. & Chong Ae Boyd says
Ward our prayers are with you and the rest of the family.
Terry McAnally says
My heart is broken for everyone that loved Cheryl. Her heart radiated joy whenever I saw her. She left too soon. May the Creator wrap caring arms around you all as you move through this time of grieving.
Terry and Bob McAnally
Judy Johnson says
Ward so sorry to hear the passing of your wife it’s a hard road to walk everyday I think of Ben and all the crazy things he did so always hang on to the memories that’s what keeps you going
Darlyn Grainger says
Ward and family I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved Wife, Mom, Grandma. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. May God Bless you with strength during this most difficult time. Hugs and prayers
Penny K says
Rest In Peace. God Bless you and your wonderful family. You will be missed but never forgotten. God gained a good person. Kid of Poplar was lucky to have you as their teacher. Prayers for Ward and your children.
Willa GrayHawk says
Ward and family I am so sorry for the loss of Cheryl, may God bless you all with strength and comfort in this difficult time. Cheryl was my son Xander’s teacher, and he just loved her, he wanted to buy her a hutch for Christmas that year she was his teacher. Prayers for all your family. RIP Cheryl
Charles Trinder says
May she find everlasting peace, She was a great lady and a great Mom. She will be so dearly missed.
Traci LeVay-Holt says
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Rich Peterson says
So sorry Ward and family. She was a great person and teacher.
Jessica Gray Hawk says
My heart goes out to the Dehner family and friends. Cheryl was by far one of the most outstanding and passionate people I have had the chance to be taught by. May the closeness of family and friends bring you peace in this time. And to Carly, your grandma loved you so much. I’m always so thankful for the times I would be able to go to your grandma’s so we could play or hang out when we were younger. I’m praying for you all, take care.
Jasey Brown says
My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family. Rest in peace Cheryl. You were the best teacher and an amazing woman. I will always cherish the kind words and things you did for me.
Deanna Dahlberg says
Ward and family….
So very sorry to hear of Cheryl’s passing. Please know you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Steve and Barb Levad says
God bless you all during this difficult time, Cheryl was one of the best. You all our in our prayers. Thinking about you Lane.
Sonny Douglas says
Ward and family, I am so sorry to hear this. Please know I will pray for your family.
Laurel Boulds-Fisk says
I am so very sorry for your precious loss your wife, best friend, mother, grandmother, teacher… may the memories you shared serve as a place to fall back on when your feeling lost, upset, angry and every emotion that comes with grief. May she rest in peace and know that she will always be with you! May god bless you and your family during this difficult time. Sending love and prayers. 🙏
Patricia Eder says
One of my favorite teachers. I was in 4th grade when she fell in love with Ward, I remember how happy you made her. Love and prayers for the family.
Loren Boadle and family says
She was a wonderful woman and a joy to be around. Our thoughts and prayers to your family.
Justin Hempel says
May you find the strength to carry on, His loving arms around you and know He is listening when you cry out to Him. This is a difficult time, and know that we are praying for you.
Sioux Dawn says
Condolences & Prayers for the Family
Cheryl was my 3rd grade teacher and she was a great woman. Rest Easy Sweet Lady
Brad Newman says
Ward and family, my thoughts and prayers go out to you all for your loss…may God’s healing touch embrace and comfort you!!!
Warren Crowe says
Thoughts and prayers to Ward and all you kids and grandkids. Remember, her love lasts forever.
Susie Kirker says
May she RIP, I’ve heard so many good things about her and she was well loved. Condolences to the family.