Keiper, Cheryl Lea

Cheryl Lea Keiper, 55, of Cedar Rapids, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, June 15, 2013, at St. Luke's Hospital after a sudden illness. A memorial and gathering service will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at River of Life Ministries. Pastor Brian Fink will officiate. Inurnment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include her husband Stan; a daughter, Crystal and her fiance, A.T. Holder of Cedar Rapids; her mother, Phyllis Merritt Marshall of Cedar Rapids; a brother, Scott (Karen) Merritt of La Crosse, Wis; and several cousins, aunts and uncles.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Cheryl was born Sept. 23, 1957, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Lewis and Phyllis Connelly Merritt. She graduated from Solon High School and received her L.P.N. degree from Kirkwood Community College.

Cheryl was passionate about Jesus and her love for Him was contagious. She was a herbalist, enjoyed drawing and her pet dogs, Tuffy and Dudley.

She was a wonderful daughter, wife, mother and friend whose memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved her.

Memorial donations may be given to the American Lupus Foundation in Cheryl's name.

Please leave a message or tribute to the Keiper family on the Web page, www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.

Published June 17, 2013 in The Gazette