May 6, 1930-Feb. 14, 2006
Former Fargo resident Cheri L. Spittler Sumpmann, 75, of Detroit Lakes and Mission, Texas, died Tuesday, February 14, 2006 at McAllen, Texas, from complications due to heart surgery.
Cheri Lavonne Gilbertson was born the daughter of Clarence and Ellen (Anderson) Gilbertson on May 6, 1930 at Forman, N.D. Her mother died at an early age, and her father remarried. Cheri grew up at Forman and graduated from Sargent Central School. She worked as a waitress at Raleigh's and then at Dystey's grocery store, both in Forman. She married Lee Johnson in 1949. In 1961, she married Allen Spittler. The Spittlers lived in West Fargo and Fargo; Allen died in 1992. In 1995, Cheri married Bill Sumpmann. The couple made their home on Big Floyd Lake, near Detroit Lakes. Bill passed away in 1996.
Cheri had a long time secretarial career with the North Dakota State University Extension Service, starting in the Traill County office in the late 1950s. She began work with the Cass County Extension Office on Aug. 25, 1963 and retired on April 30, 1991. During those years at the Extension Service, she formed close relationships with the many farmers, homemakers, 4-H members and leaders that she served. In 1991, she received the Cass County "Friend of 4-H" award for her support of the program and its members. She was involved in the Shrine and Eagles clubs. Many years were spent at the lakes, where she held Shrine parties, and friends were always welcome. The past seven winters were spent in Mission, Texas with her special friend, Chuck and many wonderful friends.
Cheri was an avid cook and baker, and loved sharing those talents with her friends and neighbors. One always knew there were cookies or freshly baked buns each Saturday. Once meeting Cheri you could never forget her smiling face and upbeat attitude. Nothing made her smile more than family, and especially her grandchildren.
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Cheri is survived by a daughter, Patricia (Butch) Baasch of Tower City, N.D.; eight step-children, Lois Corman in Pennsylvania, Audrey (George) Adams of Minneapolis, Pam (Joe) Zombeck in Kentucky, Mary Sumpmann (Jack Hoshel) of Minneapolis, Patrick (Kari) Sumpmann, also of Minneapolis, Kathy (Tim) DeFlorian of Cameron, Wis., Carol (Peter) Bernaciak of St. Paul and Michael (Sue Diedrich) Sumpmann of Englewood, Colo.; a brother, Leighton (Mary) Gilbertson of Warrenton, Mo.; three grandchildren; and 10 step-grandchildren, as well as her special friend, Charles Perrine and his family.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25 at Peace Lutheran Church in Fargo, with the Rev. Cathy Hedmark officiating. Arrangements were entrusted to Peterson-Johnson-Schuldt Funeral Home of Valley City, N.D.
