Obituary of Cheryl Lynn Winkelman

It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Cheryl Lynn Winkelman of Cranbrook BC on April 9, 2024 at the age of 71.

 

Cheryl was the eldest of 5 children to Doreen and Clarence Woods of Bentley Alberta. She grew up on a farm outside Bentley where she tended farm chores with her siblings, played competitive sports in school, and fell in love with the piano. Since then, music has always been a big part of her life. She attended beauty school and with her certificate in hand, she was keen to start her new life making people beautiful.

 

On June 25, 1977 she married her husband and together they started their life together, eventually settling outside the hamlet of Spruce View Alberta on an acreage they called home. Cheryl had a giant heart and they adopted 2 children, first was Jason Guy Winkleman and then Brandi-Lee Nicole Rice, and her life was full. Cheryl opened 2 small businesses in neighbouring Innisfail, Econo Cuts Hair Salon and a nail esthetics salon named Classic Touch. She loved her work and making people happy. She sold those salons and started a new heavy equipment construction business with her husband.

 

In 1995, they moved to Wasa Lake BC where they built a beautiful home on the lake. She enjoyed many years of family gatherings here, and her laughter always filled every room. She learned to ride a seadoo and loved feeling the sun on her skin. She was an excellent cook and we all enjoyed her home cooked meals, even if she used every dish in the house. Her dogs (Keesha, Rusty and Skeeter) always held a special place in her heart and she doted on them like children. In 1996 she welcomed her first grandson Shaymas Ferguson (Jason) and they were very close. The same year, Cheryl and her husband built a car wash in Wasa, which had a small cafe' attached called The Sweet Tooth Cafe' that served her favourite ice cream.

 

In 2005 she moved to Cranbrook in search of new beginnings where she started hair styling again, and continued to do so for a few friends and family up until her passing. She met wonderful new friends here, reunited with old friends, and touched the hearts of all those she encountered. In 2010, she welcomed her second grandson Brayden Allan Rice (Brandi) and once again she was the happiest grandma in the world. She was a true survivor, beating cancer 3 times, and was always so positive and full of energy.

 

Her beautiful life will be forever remembered by her children: Jason Guy Winkelman (Shaymas Ferguson) and Brandi Rice (Mike Rice, Brayden Rice), her siblings: Patty Gray (Dale Gray), Shane Woods (Cheryl Rolfes, Shayna, Jesse), Karen Rolfes (Bob Rolfes, Dana, Shaun), and Barry Woods (Juanita Woods, Brandon, Shauna, Jamie, Chad, Justin, Brittany).

 

There are no goodbyes, for she is looking down on us all, reunited with her parents and her beloved dogs, living on in our hearts and changing our lives forever.