Cheryl Klein

Vibrant, creative, and compassionate are just a few of the traits that made Cheryl Klein such an incredible woman to know and love. She could always find the positive side of any situation and lived life to the fullest each day. Blessed to share much of her life with her true love, Cheryl cherished her roles as a wife and mother, but she just may have argued that it was her role as a grandmother that was her richest reward. She was passionate about the things she believed in and was always willing to help others in whatever way she could. A beloved woman to many, Cheryl will be deeply missed while the memories she leaves behind will be forever cherished by her family and friends.

With the end of WWII in 1945, America was transitioning to being a nation at peace once again. With countless young servicemen and women returning to the states, the baby boom was underway. It was during this eventful time that a young couple from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was delighted with the birth of the baby girl they named Cheryl Ann on September 18, 1948. She was the eldest of three children born to her parents, Donald Gerald and Anna Mae (Van Malsen) Averill, and she was raised in the family home in the Shawmutt Hills area alongside her sister, Susan, and her brother, Michael. Cheryl’s father operated a small trucking firm while her mother was a busy homemaker and hairdresser.

From the time she was a young girl Cheryl was always on the go. When she was only nine she jumped on a riding lawnmower and accidentally ran over her leg requiring 360 stitches and skin grafts. Cheryl received little sympathy from her younger siblings, her brother was upset because her father had to rip off a cord from his new toy car to use as a tourniquet. Her little sister was convinced that Cheryl arranged the whole accident just so she could get some presents! Thankfully, she went on to make a full recovery. Holidays were spent with extended family, and there were also memorable vacations to the Wisconsin Dells and also to Mackinac Island. As a student Cheryl attended Holy Spirit Elementary and Mount Mercy. Cheryl graduated from West Catholic in 1966 and was on the homecoming court her senior year. Cheryl later attended Grand Rapids Community College but had to leave to work and support her family. Since it was something she always wanted to do, Cheryl later went back to college and graduated Valedictorian from Kendall College of Art and Design with a degree in interior design in 1998 while also working full time.

New and exciting changes were in store for Cheryl when she met the young man of her dreams. His name was Steve Klein, and they met at a relative’s wedding. While playing pool with her younger brother at the reception, Steve bought her brother a Coke in exchange for Cheryl’s phone number. Their first date was to a show in his Triumph sports car. Cheryl was not very happy when he sold the car a few weeks later. Their first date led to more dates, and with a desire to share their lives the sweethearts were married on November 24, 1966.

After a honeymoon in Chicago, Steve returned to school at Central Michigan University, and over the following summer they rebuild a burned out mobile home that her father had put a down payment on. The newly weds worked 16 hour days everyday that summer until they moved with the trailer to Mt. Pleasant. They remained there while Steve finished school and Cheryl worked at a local hospital. Together she and her husband welcomed their sons, Brian and Jeff, into their hearts and home. As their family grew they moved to the Wyoming area, then to Manistee and back to Wyoming. In 1976 they moved one final time, settling into a home in Jenison.

Life in the Klein family was a bustle of activity. Cheryl was a great cook who didn't like it when her kids wouldn't at least try what she made. For years they camped all around the Great Lakes and into Canada during the summer. They also took several trips to Florida on spring break. When their boys were still living at home Cheryl and Steve purchased a 22 foot sailboat. On one occasion they took a sailing trip to the North Channel for a week with two adults, two children, and a dog. They had very tight quarters, and Cheryl was as always prepared for nearly anything that could happen. In fact, they had so much stuff that the boat rode so low in the water they joked it might sink! Cheryl and Steve continued sailing trading up to larger sailboats.

With her own creative flair, Cheryl had a keen appreciation for art and architecture. She enjoyed traveling to experience first hand various artistic and architectural exhibits. At first Cheryl enjoyed sewing just for fun, but she later turned this hobby into her business, Quilting by Cheryl, in which she manufactured high end bedding products for homes and yachts. Cheryl also consulted with clients on interior design projects. She was an avid reader who loved historical and informative pieces, but she read all types of literature. Cheryl was a member of Relay for Life, Progressive Women's Group and Soup's On as she helped set up and design their displays. She liked to try new foods and going out to fine restaurants. Gardening and traveling abroad were additional favorite activities.

Later in life Cheryl was thrilled to become a grandmother. She liked going on vacation with her sons and their families and treasured every moment she had to spend with her three grandsons. She always desired to have a daughter or granddaughter but was blessed with two wonderful daughter-in-laws who felt they were treasured not only as daughters but as friends.

After being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2009, Cheryl underwent major surgery and long series of chemotherapy. During this time Cheryl decided they should get back into sailing as they had taken a break for a time. They purchased a sailboat that was large enough for them and their boys along with their families. Most weekends were spent on the boat they kept docked on Muskegon lake, often with their children and grandchildren as she loved being out on the water with them.

As the matriarch of her family and with her extensive network of friends and a generous hand extended toward all who were within her reach, Cheryl Klein enriched the lives of those around her in such a special way. She never had an unkind word to say about anyone, rather, she was continually encouraging with the words she chose. Cheryl's zest for life was contagious to all who were near. She will never be forgotten.

Cheryl Ann Klein (Averill), aged 65, has returned her energy to the flow from which it came. She was born in Grand Rapids September 18, 1948 and died of Ovarian Cancer on Sunday, July 27, 2014. She was the wife of Steven Don Klein; mother of Brian (Satomi) Klein and Jeffrey (Jenny) Klein; grandmother of Jayson, Brendan, and Sean. She is also survived by brother, Michael (Barb) Averill; brothers and sisters-in-law, Dennis (Nancy) Klein, Robert (Pam) Klein, Joel Klein, Diane (Butch Thornton) McNellis, Daniel (Julie) Klein, and Cindy Klein; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother, Anna (Averill) Klein; father, Donald Averill; stepdad, Martin Klein; and sister Susan (Averill) Patterson. Cheryl graduated from West Catholic in 1966. She started a custom design work room that manufactured high end bedding products for over 30 years. In 1998, she graduated from Kendall College of Art and Design with a degree in Interior Design, as the Valedictorian. Cheryl enjoyed the company of her children and grandchildren, often while sailing. She enjoyed traveling, the Arts, and her garden everday of her life. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, August 1, 2014 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Friends are invited to visit with her family from 4-7:30 on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to Stand Up To Cancer or Finca International: Small Loans/Big Changes. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to read her lifestory, archive a memory, photo, or sign the guestbook.