Cheryl Werstein

1943 - 2026

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 of 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 Coeur d'Alene, 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 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 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.