Photo courtesy of Heritage Funeral Home and Cremation Services - Sioux Falls
Jul 11, 2005 - Nov 24, 2025 (Age 20)
What a blessed hope & comfort to know that Cheyenne is with her Lord Jesus Christ.
David Glader
November 27, 2025 | Sioux Falls, SD | Friend
Cheyenne was the most amazing sister ever. She was fun loving, joyful, encouraging, talented and full of life despite her circumstances. She always had a smile on her face through her pain. I will cherish our friendship and all the memories we made together. I know one of the happiest times in her life was becoming Titi to her Savvy. We will always keep your memory alive with her and she will never forget you.
Girl I miss you so much already. Love you always and forever sweet Angel!
Heather Gullickson
November 27, 2025 | Owatonna, MN | Sister
Cheyenne and her Savvy girl
Cheyenne loved her savvy girl
Heather Gullickson
November 27, 2025 | Owatonna, MN | Sister
the most infectious smile ever, you will always be loved and missed summy
daniel mcallister
November 26, 2025 | Friend
Christina and Ben
I am very sorry for the loss of ur amazing wonderful daughter. I am glad that I got to talk to her. Going to miss the talk that I had Love you guys alot I am always here if u need to talk
Dorothy Sokolovits
November 26, 2025 | Sioux Falls, SD | Friend
Chy Chy was a strong person she definitely always believed in if there’s a will then there’s a way. She always answered the phone happy as can be. And yes we don’t have the same mom but we do have same dad, I am no half brother I am her brother. I will always love Chy Chy and she will always be apart me no matter what. I want her to know I’m gonna be better than I am today and im going to honor her everyday. I Love You Chy Chy
James Legette
November 26, 2025 | Pittsburgh, PA | Brother
Cheyenne Sanger was full of life, precocious, erudite, passionate about music by playing instruments and singing. She made arts and crafts. She was of faith and an excellent student. Cheyenne Strong all the way!!! She will be missed by very many. May God protect her spirit and her family. - Friend of Family
Risto Cretan
November 26, 2025 | MD | Friend
The Edison Middle School staff would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Sanger family. Cheyenne was a beautiful soul and we were fortunate to have had her at Edison.
Edison Middle School Staff
November 26, 2025 | Sioux Falls, SD | Teacher
She is an inspiration. My prayers and love to your family.
Tracey Helgeson
November 26, 2025 | Elk Point, SD | Friend
For 7441 days, Cheyenne Summer Rain Sanger’s star burned brightly on this earth. She was born on July 11, 2005, in Frederick, Maryland with a full head of beautiful hair. And now, her legacy continues to shine.
Even as a child, Cheyenne’s passion for music and art was evident. In 2023, as she prepared to graduate from Lincoln High, where she participated in Choir, Honor Choir, Chamber Choir and Orchestra, she received a substantial music scholarship to St. Olaf University just south of the Twin Cities. She dreamed of becoming a music teacher. However, she never attended college as her journey with cancer interrupted her plans. Instead,
Cheyenne jokingly claimed for herself an honorary doctorate in medicine with a specialty in osteosarcoma as she was first diagnosed 8 years ago.
Cheyenne’s love for God and others shone through her kind and generous heart as she put the time she spent in the hospital to good use knitting blankets, clothes, animals, fruits and vegetables for friends. Cheyenne delighted in playing games, such as Sticks, Flip 7, Dragon Wood, Farkle, Spicy Dice and many more. Due to her competitive nature, she would usually end up with a gracious victory. She loved hot sauce, noodles, listening to music of all kinds (the more obscure, the better), good conversation, swimming with PT Dan, make-up, putting Legos together, professional wrestling (AEW, not WWE!), gardening, fried green tomatoes, Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino's, peppermint hot chocolate, and her grandpa’s singing voice. Cheyenne treasured the times she traveled to Maryland to visit her family where she enjoyed eating crab legs at Hooper’s Crab House. Her favorite thing on earth was attending the concerts of her favorite artists. The last concert she attended was Sadgirl earlier this year, on a memorable trip with her family which beautifully illustrated her fighting human spirit, when she once again, defied the odds.
Cheyenne’s indomitable spirit shone even as she received news that her cancer was no longer treatable. In that moment, she did what she was known for; she told cancer to, “hold my root beer, 1919 of course.” She lived her life on her own terms while writing her own story. She entered hospice care at age 19, with many people wondering if she would make it to her 20th birthday. Cheyenne showed her determination and celebrated her birthday with a beautifully-orchestrated escape from the hospital. She meticulously planned this outing which included the perfect outfit, impressive make-up, a wonderful dinner with her twin brother, and the perfect tattoo parlor. She was very excited to return to Sanford Children’s Hospital to show off her new “birthday tattoo.”
While Cheyenne knew this day would come, she asked the staff to offer a description of her. Talented. Beautiful. Compassionate. Cheerful. Funny. Peacemaker. Special. Authentic. Deep and Intentional. Indomitable. Driven. Devoted. Determined. Feisty. Brave. Real. Artistic. Quick-witted. Wise. Creative. Strong-Willed. Fabulous. Free Spirit. Genuine. Inspirational. These words were very meaningful for Cheyenne, and anyone fortunate enough to know her knows the accuracy of these descriptions.
Surrounded by family and friends, Cheyenne’s journey on this earth ended peacefully on November 24, 2025. Cheyenne’s request to those she loved is that anytime you find yourself looking up at the night sky and see the twinkling of the stars, that you would think of her. She is among them now, continuing to shine only the way she can.
Cheyenne is survived by her parents, Benjamin and Christine Sanger, her siblings - Heather (Timothy) Gullickson, Dakota, Margaret & Eve, her niece - Savannah “Savvy”, her grandparents - Paulette “Nanny” and Robert “Pappy” Hooper, Catherine and Rene’ Caron, Margot Page and Robert Sanger, her aunts and uncles - Sherry (Clark) Jones, Mark (Dawn) Hooper, Pamela (Kevin) Mayhew, Michael (Regan) Hooper, Sam (Rosemary) Tadros, Liz Tadros, many cousins and some half-siblings with whom she recently connected.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Heritage Funeral Home on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Family will be present for visitation beginning at 2:00 p.m., one hour prior to the service.A time of light refreshments and fellowship will follow the service. Cheyenne would want you to come as you are- no need to dress up.
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