Cheryl VanWinkle

April 13, 1950 -

November 6, 2022

Cheryl Ann Van Winkle, 72, was called to join the angels on November 6, 2022 at her home in La Quinta, CA. Cheryl was a local Everett girl all her life, born on April 13, 1950 at Providence General Hospital to Dorrie and Elaine Ransick. Cheryl attended grade school at Immaculate Conception, high school at Everett High (Class of '68), and college at the University of Washington where she pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Growing up, the Ransick family owned and operated Stadium Market where she and her sister, Carol (Rodland), spent afternoons and weekends helping their parents sell groceries and flowers to the Everett community. It is there that she developed her deep love for business and serving others. As an adolescent, her summers were spent on the sandy shores of Tulare Beach in a rental house where she developed into a self proclaimed "beach girl"- boating, water skiing, crabbing, swimming, and beach combing day after day. The early days of beach life would leave a lasting impression on her heart that stayed with her for a lifetime. At age 15, she met the love of her life, Spark Van Winkle, whom she dated through high school, college, and eventually married. She was drawn to his humor, hard work ethic, and shared love for beach life. In 1972 after graduating from the UW, Cheryl announced she was taking six months to backpack Europe and wanted her sister, Carol to accompany her. Their adventure of a lifetime was cut short when they were notified via telegram that their father had suddenly passed. Without any hesitation Cheryl bravely stepped up to help her mother run the family business. In 1978 Cheryl and Spark purchased Stadium Market from her mother Elaine. Later that same year, they invested in a second location in Lynnwood dedicated to selling flowers. In 1988 Stadium Market became Stadium Flowers as we know it today. In an effort to purchase fresher flowers, Cheryl and Spark began buying them farm-direct, enabling them to cut out the middle man. In 1991, with this successful business plan in place, Cascade Floral Wholesale opened for business in Everett. Cheryl was a pioneer in business, always investing in technology and fostering growth. Under her leadership the business thrived! Cheryl developed many lifelong professional relationships through the Society of American Florist and 10 Group. She cherished these friendships for years including a recent visit by the 10 Group. In 2019 after 41 years in business, Cheryl and Spark retired and sold the business to their son Adam and his wife Darla Van Winkle. Cheryl was very proud of the business and that the family legacy will continue. Spark and Cheryl were married on June 15, 1974 at Immaculate Conception Church and spent 48 amazing years as husband and wife. Their beautiful life together was centered around their children, Dorrie Van Winkle (Bri), and Adam Van Winkle (Darla) at their home in Mukilteo. The years of raising a family whizzed by with memories made at Everett Rowing regattas, family vacations to Palm Springs and Hawaii, and of course summers at the Rodland/ Van Winkle family beach house. For over 20 years the two families piled eight people in one four bedroom house with one tiny bathroom. Cheryl and Carol- the "Ransick Sisters" at the helm of the whole operation- feeding army's day after day as the kids in the house seemed to multiply. One of Cheryl's best traits was her innate desire to bring people in and care for them when they were in need. Her generous spirit, motherly heart, and genuine love for young people touched countless lives. Time after time she and Spark opened their doors when someone needed a place to stay. Whether it was for days, months, or even years, she did it without hesitation. The only stipulation to their residency was the known fact that you had to listen to her blatantly tough life advice. She was a firm believer in tough love, but it was her tough love that landed all of those individuals back on their feet. A mountain of memories remain from her time here on earth. She will forever be remembered by her loved ones for so many things: hosting Thanksgiving, the smell of turkey in the air and the sound of laughter filling their Mukilteo home; 4th of July celebrations at the Van Winkle beach house where the fireworks seemed to never end and everyone piled together on the deck to watch; golfing in the desert and at the EGCC with her girls; Husky tailgating all decked in her purple and gold; boat trips to the San Juan Islands every summer aboard the Spark Dawg; spending time at their home in La Quinta where there is never a shortage of fun or golf; her generosity as a business owner that donated flower arrangements to hundreds of charity events over the years; and Monday's on "Nana duty" picking up her most prized possession- her grandchildren- from school. Family truly was the center of her life and she always made sure that they knew how much she loved and adored them. She is preceded in death by her parents Dorrie and Elaine Ransick, her uncle Ray Sidley, and aunt Eileen Arrington. Cheryl is survived by her husband of 48 years, Spark; sons Dorrie (Bri) Van Winkle; and Adam (Darla) Van Winkle and grandchildren Hudson and Hadley Van Winkle. Cheryl is also survived by her sister and lifelong best friend Carol (Buzz) Rodland; father-in-law Larry (Arlene) Van Winkle; sister-in-laws Carol (Greg) Morrison and Linda Van Winkle and their families; cousin Carlene (Geoff) Goldfinch and their families. She also leaves nieces Lindsay (Liska) Crow and Allison (Bruce) Olson and their families. In honor of Cheryl, memorial donations can be made to the Everett Rowing Association Endowment or Providence General Children's Association.

Funeral Service to be held on Friday, December 9th at 9am, St. Mary Magdalen Parish with reception to follow at the Everett Golf & Country Club.