Cheryl Severson

1945 - 2024

Cheryl Anne Severson, 78, of Miles City died Monday, Feb. 5, 2024 at Holy Rosary Hospice in Miles City, Mont.

Cheryl was born on June 22, 1945 in Ellensburg, Wash., the second of four children born to Melvin and Dorothy Johnson. Soon after the family moved back to Raymond in northeastern Montana. Cheryl had fond childhood memories of playing with her younger brother, Dallas, and spending time with her 4-H steer. While her parents worked on the farm, she and older sister Karen did their part by cleaning and cooking and looking after younger sister Valerie.

Cheryl attended country schools and graduated from Plentywood High School in 1963. She married her high school sweetheart, Ronald (Ronnie) Severson, in 1965 after he spent some time in the U.S. Army Reserve. They settled on his family's farm near Redstone, Mont. In 1966 their son, Allen, was born. In 1969 the couple moved to Great Falls, Mont., where Ron learned the art of sales. In 1970 they had a daughter, Marla. They moved to Bozeman in 1973, where Ron managed a manufactured home dealership and Cheryl stayed home with the kids. They lived in the country and enjoyed having horses, goats and calves, more for pets than for profit. Around 1980 the family moved to nearby Belgrade and Ron continued in sales.

The center of Cheryl's life was her family and her home. She was completely focused on taking care of loved ones and making her home warm and welcoming. She had a gift for decorating and making any space beautiful with what she had on hand. At times she knocked out walls when she needed a change and frequently rearranged furniture.

She had many pets who held special places in her heart, and she took immense pride in caring for the outdoor critters, even learning to deliver lambs on her own. She could heft 70-pound hay bales but was still always a lady.

If people could get past her extreme shyness, they would discover that Cheryl was kind, funny and a dreamer at heart.

Cheryl enjoyed many crafts including ceramics, floral arranging, scrapbooking and sewing. She loved doing yardwork and spending time outside. As her children got older, she and Ron enjoyed following their school activities. When the grandkids came along, they took immense pride in them and their achievements.

Ron retired in 2009 and the couple moved to Miles City, where her daughter and son-in-law reside. Cheryl continued to enjoy yardwork, home improvement and time with family. Later in life she enjoyed near-daily phone calls with sister Karen.

Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Dorothy Johnson; her husband of 47 years, Ronald Severson; brothers-in-law Norman (Neoma), Vernon (Lorraine) and Marvin (Linda) Severson; and sister-in-law Eileen (Raymond) Wittak. She is survived by a son, Allen (Missy) Severson of Bozeman, Mont.; a daughter, Marla (Casey) Prell of Miles City, Mont.; seven grandchildren: Jared, Jamie, Tiffany and Jason Severson and Clay, Cole and Cord Prell; sisters Karen (John) Darlow of Helena, Mont., Valerie (Paul) Beck of Plentywood, Mont., and brother Dallas (Josie) Johnson of Plentywood, Mont.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Monday, Feb. 12 from 4-6 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City, Mont. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Following the service, interment will be at the Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery in a joint plot. A luncheon will follow at the Parlor across from the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.