Photo courtesy of Martin-Mattice Funeral Home - Emmetsburg
1943 - 2026
I'm so sorry for the loss of your Mother honey. I can only imagine how hard it must have been for her and your family to go through her 3-year battle with dementia. The Lord above has opened the gates for her and for once she walked through the pearly gates she had no more pain. I know Grandpa and Grandma were waiting for her to arrive. What a true blessing your Mother gave to many friends and loved ones ❤
Patricia Werstein
January 21, 2026 | Tomah, WI | Family
Cheryl L. Werstein (Merfeld), 82, formerly of Mason City IA, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Lakeside Senior Care in Emmetsburg IA where she was a resident since 2023.
No funeral service or visitation will be held. Final arrangements are being made by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home in Emmetsburg, IA.
Memorials in Cheryl's name may be directed to Chasing Daylight Animal Shelter in Tomah WI at the following address: https://www.chasingdaylight.org/content/help/donate
Cheryl was born August 21, 1943, in Cor' deleane, Idaho, the daughter of Claude and Hilda (Kruse) Merfeld. She lived and worked in the Mason City area at Libby-Owens-Ford, and Winnebago Industries before moving to Odessa, FL in 1981. Cheryl and her family moved back to Mason City in February 1994, and she worked various jobs including at Hy-Vee West as the overnight bakery person until she retired in 2014.
Cheryl enjoyed crocheting, gardening, and anything to do with animals. She had a green thumb and could make anything grow and always had various house plants growing no matter what. Her love of animals was her defining trait. She always was willing to take in a stray and treated all animals with true kindness, dignity and respect.
She is survived by her sons Randy (Robin) Werstein, Wrens, GA; Timothy (Patricia) Werstein, Tomah, WI, daughter Jamie Kiroff, Mason City, Daughter-in-law Christine Werstein, Holiday FL, 6 grandchildren, Heather Werstein, Scott Werstein, Craig Werstein Jr., Samantha Werstein, Brandi Werstein, and Kyle Werstein and 8 great-grandchildren.
Cheryl was preceded in death by her sister, Kathryn (Merfeld) Zanios in 1985, her mother, Hilda Merfeld in 2005, her father, Claude in 2008, her longtime companion, Frank Kiroff in 2008 and her son, Craig Werstein in 2022.
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