Cheryl Kay Haukos

Cheryl Kay Huakos, 77 of Alexandria, passed away peacefully at Alomere Healthcare Center on Monday, July 22, 2024. Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria starting at 10:30 AM, with a visitation one hour prior to services. Burial will be at a later time at Lakeside Cemetery in Herman. 

Cheryl Kay Haukos is at peaceful rest. Uffda, what a life. Born Dec 10th 1946, to Oscar and Hazel Sjoquist as the youngest of 6, she quickly learned what it meant to be a Sjoquist...and a proud Swede. Cheryl was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran church. She attended Herman Public Schools graduating in the class of 1964.

Living on the edge of Herman, MN one can only imagine the ruckus made by those 6 children. Cheryl could stir up a little trouble for brother Rick by ensuring mom and dad knew of any indiscretions and happily watching the punishment. 

After graduation, she spent time in the Twin Cities taking business classes and staying with sister Karen. Upon returning to Herman, she worked different jobs, the longest being the corner drugstore. She would eventually marry Larry Wirtjes. They lived on the Wirtjes farm southeast of town learning new talents such as milking and feeding the critters. In March of 1968, along came a chubby red cheeked boy, Stacy Lane. That spring was historically snowy and Mom and babe, as lore has it, were transported down the long driveway on a makeshift sled, towed by a snowmobile. As bumpy as that ride was, it was a foreshadow of the marriage that ended in 1976. But, with time and distance, Cheryl and Larry were able to resolve the bad feelings and were on friendly terms when he passed in 2021.

After a year in Herman, Cheryl decided to chase better opportunities in Alexandria, MN where she found employment at Peterson Drug. Cheryl’s life was not easy scraping by as best she could, often being creative to ensure there was food to eat. She never complained though and was happy. She would ensure the family could have experiences such as camping. She loved to dance and often attended a sock hop in her younger years and later at the Eagles club. She would teach her son to waltz in the living room smiling at the awkward steps.

The new friendships in Alex brought new experiences including ceramics where she found a creative outlet and even more long-time friendships. Those new friends introduced her to Dewey Berg. The couple were married on October 10th, 1980. This relationship brought more new adventures, be it bowling or pitching horseshoes, they would travel to various tournaments collecting trophies. With the death of Dewey in February 1984, she found herself once again, starting over. She worked at Alex Extrusion and eventually at the local police station as dispatcher, a job she enjoyed very much.

Along came Jerry, “Big Foot” Haukos. There was a twinkle in her eye again! The two were married on August 6th 1988 residing on lake Osakis, MN. She would eventually have the luxury of not working for a time and could take care of the home and yard. She loved to plant and care for her flowers. It was an obsession. Eventually they sold the house and bought a motorhome to stay together through Jerry’s work - what an adventure. Living along the river in Arkansas, she would wonder at the beauty. After a while, they bought a house in Lewisville, TX, within driving distance to sister Karen and husband Gene of Houston, TX sharing adventures and many laughs.

Grandchildren arrived so a move back to MN ensured they were close. Often meeting at “grandma’s gas station”, she would enthusiastically take the grandchildren for a week on Lake Mary. Fishing with Grandpa Jerry, swimming, running and playing would tucker the kids and Grandma Cheryl out. Never too tired though to bake her famous chocolate chip cookies and keep the house in pristine order, another passion of hers.

Throughout the various moves, adventures and tribulations, family was the one constant. Graduations, weddings or special events and holidays at mom and sister Pat’s would bring everybody together. Eating until everything was gone…because you know, a good Lutheran would never leave food uneaten. After a quick cleanup and brisk walk, coffee - a rousing game of scrabble often erupted into someone reaching for the dictionary - somebody must be making up a word. The siblings were close for life. Her belief in God and her family is where she drew her strength from even if a certain sister would try to influence her. Golf was another passion often shared with her husband, family and friends. A memorable excursion was when sisters and nieces took a motorhome they dubbed the “Swedish Mafia” to Watertown SD to see Stacy and Heidi’s new house. Never a dull moment. Good times made good memories.

Cheryl remained home until the end with Jerry hiring the greatest ensemble of personal care assistants. He was diligent; never missing a medication or treatment. However, a fall resulted in a hospitalization in which she would never leave. A few days later she slipped away quietly and peacefully to reunite with her sisters, parents and other loved ones, on July 22, 2024.

She experienced the passing of her father Oscar Sjoquist; her mother, Hazel Sjoquist; and her sisters Pat Sjoquist; June Vipond; Karen Sullivan; Connie Johnson. Also preceding Cheryl was mother-in-law Florence Haukos; father-in-law Julian Haukos; and brother-in-law Dean Sheets; Dale Vipond; Gene Sullivan; Dale Johnson; Ronald Haukos; Marvin Haukos; Charles “Chucky” Haukos; James “Jimmy” Haukos; Kenneth Haukos; and Allen Schmitt.

She is survived by husband Jerry Haukos of Alexandria MN; brother Rick (Gail) Sjoquist of Burnsville, MN, sister-in-law Frances (Eldred) Peterson of Madison, MN; Sharon Braff; Judy Thompson (Jim) of Montevideo, MN; Mary Schmitt of Montevideo, MN; and brother-in-law Melvin (Judy) Haukos of Blomkest, MN; Donald (Freda) Haukos of Big Stone City, SD; Wayne (Karen) Haukos of Raymond, MN; and son Stacy and wife Heidi Wirtjes, three grandchildren Triston (Laike) Wirtjes, Blake (Sarah) Wirtjes and Connor Wirtjes and great grandchildren Iyla, Wrenley, Essie and Weston all residing in Watertown SD and numerous nieces and nephews. 

The family would like to thank her personal care assistants Andrea “Amber Light” and Michelle as well as Katie and Cindy and the entire Knute Nelson hospice staff.