Cheryl Anne Olson

Cheryl Anne Olson, age 65 of rural St. Peter passed away Tuesday, February 27, 2024 surrounded by her family at her home.  

Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 7, 2024 at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Mankato. Visitation will be held from 4 – 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at Northview – North Mankato Mortuary and continue one hour before the service at the church on Thursday. In lieu of flowers memorials maybe given to One Bright Star and B The Light. 

Cheryl was born on October 16, 1958 to William and Carol (Blackburn) Roddy in Winston-Salem, N.C. After the loss of her mother, Bill was remarried to Jean Ann (Bercher) Roddy. Cheryl spent much of her childhood in the Southern U.S., until moving to Minnesota in 1975. She was united in marriage to Harlan E. Olson on October 19, 1991 at First Lutheran Church in St. Peter. She was a devoted mother to Tiffany, Bryce and Edward; nurturing and encouraging them every step of their lives. Cheryl most recently worked as a Marketing Consultant for Alpha Media and at Patterson’s Diamond Center. She was a member of Hosanna Lutheran Church. Cheryl was passionate about giving to the community, actively involved in Mankato Rotary Club, Boy Scouts, B the Light, 4-H, Nicollet County Fair, One Bright Star, Relay 4 Life, and more. While battling cancer for 9 strong years she began a mission to help all chemo patients through Cheryl’s Chemo Kits and mentored many breast cancer survivors.  

Cheryl enjoyed spending time with family and traveling – to the Olson & Ward family cabins, many Roddy Family trips growing up, Casino trips, “Sister Trips”, and many others. She loved being involved in her children’s sports and activities including cheer, wrestling, and horse shows. She loved the horse community and friends. She enjoyed teaching and playing card games, especially Black Jack. Her cooking was loved by all and never followed a recipe. Her hobbies also included painting and selling Thirty-One bags, but most of all she enjoyed helping others.  

Cheryl’s accomplishments in life were many, and often “against all odds”. Despite being told from birth that she would never walk, her perseverance shined through. She managed to drive cross-country to Myrtle Beach with two young children (pre-GPS). She won the 1975 Indiana State Badminton Doubles Championship with her twin sister, Beth. Through her education and career path, Cheryl was a motivated and successful woman, making a positive impact on all that knew her.  

Some of Cheryl’s core values were passed along as life lessons such as, “Get Up, Dress Up, Show Up and NEVER GIVE UP”, “Kindness and Love will always outshine anger and hate”, “Don’t sweat the small stuff [will it matter in 5 years?]” and The Golden Rule.  

Cheryl’s greatest strength was the way she treated everyone she knew as a best friend. She was an inspiration to many and made a huge impact in her community, while also being a very loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, and Aunt.  

Cheryl is survived by her husband, Harlan Olson; daughter, Tiffany (Nick) Ward; two sons, Bryce (Sara Mennen) Tillman, Edward (Shaunda Hiniker) Olson; grandchildren, Delaina Ward, Emma (Peyton) Wilke, Skylar Ward, Alex Ward, Carter Tillman, Toby Tillman and Jaxon Mennen; twin sister, Elizabeth (Randy) Milbrett, sister Jan (Nathan) Blanton; brother, Bryan (Valerie) Roddy; many nieces, nephews, friends and extended family. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Wayne Roddy and infant daughter, Ruth.