Cheryl L. Henkel, 65, of Racine, whose beautiful life ended too soon, passed away peacefully, with her loving family by her side, Thursday, February 22, 2024 at Hospice Alliance Hospice House in Pleasant Prairie.
She was born on August 29, 1958 to Arthur E. and Evelyn M. (Strommen) Joslin in Racine. She was educated in the schools of Racine and graduated from Case High School and later attended Gateway Technical College. Her childhood was idyllic, full of love and memories with her parents and brothers. Some of her favorite memories were family vacations at Sportsman’s Lodge in Birchwood, WI. In her younger years, she played volleyball, softball, and was part of a bowling league. Cheryl was a magician’s assistant, even auditioning for the Playboy Club, but would never reveal the secrets of magic. Family vacations continued in her adulthood, as her parents built their dream home in Birchwood on the edge of Big Lake Chetac. One of her favorite things was spending time there, with her parents and children. They went fishing for bluegill off of the dock and watched the sunset. Cheryl was the family historian and matriarch, always keeping the generations connected.
Cheryl was a self-taught baker, delighting friends and family with sweet treats. Her wedding and birthday cakes were part of countless celebrations. Her Christmas cookie boxes were legendary and on Thanksgiving, she made a pie for every member of her family. She was an avid Packer fan with season tickets. Cheryl vacationed in Green Bay every summer with her children when they were young, taking them to Bay Beach, the Packer training camp, and preseason games. After she became a season ticket holder, she gave away game tickets at least once a year so the children of her friends and colleagues could experience the fun of game day, as her children had. Cheryl was also a season ticket holder at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and enjoyed weekends in Appleton with Broadway musicals and meals with family and friends. Cheryl had three treasured friends: Barb, Betty and Nancy, and their friendship spanned decades. They regularly got together to adventure across Wisconsin, hike the Ice Age Trail, craft, bake, and give back to the community. She was a traveler and loved planning and going on trips across the United States and abroad with those she loved.
Cheryl had a prolific career, spanning 48 years, retiring in December of 2023. She started as a temp in high school at Color Arts, and rose through the ranks, becoming Manager of Estimating as the company changed owners and names, first to Duracolor and now Federal Health. She played an integral role in shaping the organization as it evolved and cared deeply about its success. She enjoyed the work, and could be found nightly on her couch doing quotes for fun. But she enjoyed her coworkers more. She deeply cared about people she worked with and worked for; they were an extension of her family. Her coworkers describe her as the company matriarch, a sounding board, an inspiration, a mentor, and a second mom.
What she loved most of all was spending time with her three daughters and grandchildren. She was the most amazing mother. She taught her children to love hard, find joy in the little things, that making memories was the most important thing, that was meant to be will be, and that life is about the journey and not the destination. She often said that the best part of parenting was getting three best friends after her daughters grew up, and that she got to be a grandma. Her grandchildren will remember her as the funniest, silliest, and most loving grandmother, who would do anything for them. She loved to attend their school and sporting events, have them over for sleepovers, play with them for hours– including many silly games, indulging their interests and curiosities (even if those involved toilet paper tubes taped to her wall, paint balloons being thrown, or fuzzy pom-poms being glued to her chairs)—- and vacationing with them. She spoiled them with love and fun.
Cheryl will be forever missed by her mother Evelyn Joslin, her daughters Sarah (Christian) Miller, Amber (TJ) Hearn and Amanda (Edgard) Delgado, her grandchildren Calvin Miller, Blaise and Decylnn Hearn, Naeli and Anthony Delgado and Baby Delgado on the way, her brothers and sisters-in-law: Jim and Mary Joslin, John Joslin, and Mike and Lina Joslin and many other family, friends and colleagues.
She was preceded in death by her father Arthur Joslin, her siblings Patrick, in infancy, and Susan, who passed away as a young child.
A Celebration of Life for Cheryl will be held on Saturday, March 9th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Roma Lodge (7130 Spring Street Racine). This will be a casual open-house style celebration with a blessing at 11:30 a.m. All who knew Cheryl are invited to come to honor her incredible life.
The family extends their deepest appreciation to the staff at Froedtert South, especially the medical staff in the Cancer Center for their compassionate care. They will be forever grateful to Dr. Knight and his team. Her family also shares their heartfelt gratitude to their family members, friends, and colleagues who have shown up with care, support and love. You all are proof that angels walk among us.
To honor her memory, please donate blood if you are able, make magic happen for a single mom, make a memory with kids in your life, take an adventure with friends or family, or hold a loved one’s hand and skip through a parking lot.
