Charlene M. Seils

Charlene (Cheri) Seils, age 70, of Pequot Lakes, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2024, at her home after a courageous battle with ALS.

Cheri was born on November 25, 1954, in Fargo, ND. She was the daughter of Leo and Mildred (Duval) Manning. She graduated from South Saint Paul High School in 1972. Cheri married the love of her life, Greg Seils, of Inver Grove Heights, on April 3, 1976. Greg and Cheri were blessed with their son, Tom, on April 1, 1980.

After high school, she worked at Cenex-Land-O-Lakes until her move up north to Nisswa with her family in 1987. She was employed at many places in the Brainerd lakes area, including Brainerd Community Action, Madden’s Resort, the City of Lakeshore, Jim’s Electric, Widseth Smith, Nolting and Associates, Brainerd International Raceway Driving School, Narveson Management, while also working at the family business, Crow Wing Auto Body for 35 years. Cheri was also very active in the community, serving as the president of the Nisswa Jaycees, Nisswa City Counsil, and was Mayor of Nisswa.

After moving to Pequot Lakes and building their dream home on Sibley Lake in 1995, she was the secretary of the Brush Pilots Snowmobile Club, served on the Pequot Lakes Planning and Zoning Commission, and was elected to the Pequot Lakes City Counsel.

Cheri enjoyed birds, travel, camping, fishing, boating, golfing, skiing, snowmobiling, and watching Minnesota sporting events. She valued spending time with family, friends, and her dogs.

Cheri is survived by her husband, Greg; son, Tom; step-grandchildren, Taya and Shaina; sister, Shelley (Paul) Gintner; sisters-in-law, Sue (Phil) McKinnis, Carole (Mike) Kahnert; niece, Angela (Jeremy) Fransen; nephews, Eric (Allison) Kahnert, Robert Kruse, and their children.

Cheri was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Mildred (Duval) Manning; Greg’s parents, Raymond and Jacqueline; and stepfather-in-law, Orville.

A special thank you to those who helped Cheri through her ALS journey; her doctors and care providers at the ALS Association, University of Minnesota-Fairview, Aveanna Home Health, St. Croix Hospice, and Home Instead. Thank you to the many friends and family for your love and support to our family.

A celebration of life will be held at the Pequot Lakes American Legion Post 49 on February 1, 2025, at 1 PM. In Lieu of flowers and hotdishes, the family would like memorials to go to the Babinski Foundation Animal Shelter or Pequot Lakes American Legion Post 49.