Cherrie Marie Wiese

   Cherrie Marie Wiese was born on October 17, 1935, the daughter of Bertram and Thelma (Monson) Olson in Hancock, Iowa. She was baptized and later confirmed her faith in the Lutheran church. She attended country school near Irwin and graduated from Irwin High School. She attended the University of Northern Iowa and obtained her two-year teaching certificate. In 1975, returned to the University of Northern Iowa and earned her Bachelor of Science in Education.

   Cherrie married Warren Wiese in 1962 and the couple raised three children: Jennifer and twins, Nathan and Suzanne. She loved her summers spent with her family at Lake Okoboji and took the children on road trips to Colorado to visit friends and back to the family farm in Irwin.

   Cherrie started teaching in Oakland and then moved to Fort Dodge where she spent most of her career teaching elementary education. She treasured her students and took great delight in sparking their imaginations and guiding their development. She read aloud to her students every day, usually from Caldecott Award winning books.

   In Fort Dodge, she joined the First Presbyterian Church, which was just down their street from her home. She was very involved in her children’s interests and spent countless hours cheering for them at basketball games, track and cross country meets. Cherrie instilled in her children a sense of independence, personal responsibility and of course, humor! She loved to laugh and had a keen sense of humor.  

   Cherrie was an avid sports fan, often writing directly to coaches of her favorite team to discuss games. She especially loved the Iowa Hawkeyes and Kansas Jayhawks college basketball teams, with Final Four season being her favorite time of year.

   Cherrie was an excellent bridge player and was also very involved in politics. Following her retirement from teaching, she ran for State Senate in Iowa and also opened her home to host staff from the national campaign for President.  In 2001, she and her daughter Jennifer attended the inauguration of George W Bush in Washington, D.C.

   In later years, Cherrie thoroughly enjoyed her grandchildren, spending time at their ballet and sports performances. She did the daily crossword puzzle like a whiz and battled the squirrels who invaded her bird feeders. She baked lemon meringue pie and savored a nice afternoon nap by the fire.

   Cherrie passed away on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at the Oakley Place in Topeka, Kansas at the age of 88 years and two months.

   Cherrie was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Helen Merritt, Clyde Olson, Alan Olson, Duane Olson, and Steve Olson. She is survived by her three children: Jennifer Wiese (Michael), Suzanne (Joe) Mumford and Nathan Wiese; three grandchildren: Ben Mumford, Erin Mumford, and Riley Flanigan; siblings: Dean (Joyce) Olson, Wanda (Ron) Sabby, and David Olson; sister-in-law: Sue Olson; and many other relatives and friends.

   Her visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with the funeral service to follow at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 30, 2023, all at the United Congregational Church of Christ in Harlan. Interment will take place in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Kirkman. Memorials may be directed to the United Congregational Church of Christ in Harlan.