Cheryl Lavone Esslinger

1951 - 2022

LEWISVILLE, Texas - Cheryl Lavone Esslinger, 70, of Little Elm, died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, in Lewisville. She was a loving wife, daughter, mother, grandmother and friend.
Final resting place will be DFW National Cemetery at a later date.
Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home in Lewisville is in charge of arrangements.
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Cheryl was born in Lexington, Nebraska, on Aug. 4,1951, to Carrol and Beverly Duff and was raised by her parents in Bertrand, Nebraska. Cheryl attended Bertrand Community Schools and graduated from high school in 1969 as the valedictorian of her class. After high school, she worked for The Bank of Bertrand.
Cheryl and Galen Esslinger were married on Dec. 27, 1969, in Bertrand and made their home in Bertrand. When Galen left for military service in April 1970, Cheryl moved back in with her parents while Galen attended basic training. In July, Cheryl joined Galen stationed at Fort Hood, where they lived until December 1970 when Galen left for Vietnam. Cheryl moved back in with her parents in Bertrand when Galen left for his service. Plans changed and Galen was diverted from Vietnam to Fort Lewis, Washington. Once stationed there, Cheryl joined Galen near Fort Lewis. It was during their time in Washington that Cheryl gave birth to Crystal M. Esslinger on Sept. 20, 1971. In the fall of 1971 Cheryl and Galen moved back to Nebraska when Galen was transferred from active duty in the Army to the Nebraska Army National Guard. In 1972 Cheryl and Galen relocated to Kearney, Nebraska, where she worked as a medical records clerk. She later made the decision to focus on raising their children and began caring for Crystal and other children in their home. During their time in Kearney is when Cheryl gave birth to Travis R. Esslinger on Feb. 10, 1975. In the spring of 1991 Cheryl moved with her family to South Sioux City, Nebraska, due to a change in Galen's employment. Cheryl and Galen lived in South Sioux City until the spring of 1993. Cheryl's time in South Sioux City was a dark time as she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Cheryl's intensive treatments were successful and the Lord blessed her with complete recovery. She never experienced the disease again. In 1993 Cheryl and Galen moved to Bloomington, Indiana, and in 1996 they moved to Arlington, Texas. Cheryl worked as a nanny caring for children in their homes and in her own home. Cheryl retired in 2008 to help better support her mother, and spend more time with Galen and her grandchildren. Upon Galen's retirement in 2016, they relocated to Frisco, Texas, to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. Cheryl and Galen downsized and moved into an apartment but after several years of apartment living they built a new home in Little Elm, Texas, and moved in on Sept. 10, 2021. This provided more space to accommodate family and host holidays. She enjoyed living in their new home until the Lord called her.
Survivors include her husband Galen; her mother Beverly; daughter Crystal with her husband Craig and children Connor, Collin and Carsyn; her son Travis with his fiancée Gretchen and children Madeline, Roderick and Evan.
Cheryl touched everyone she met. She had an infectious smile and was so happy when surrounded by family and friends. Cheryl had such a love for all children. Many times it was hard to hear because she found a video of a baby laughing with the volume turned up loud. Cheryl was dearly loved and will be sorely missed by many.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.