Cheryl "Sherri" Nimmer

Although she was taken from her loved ones much too soon, Cheryl “Sherri” Nimmer made a significant impact in the lives of everyone she met. She was warm and inviting with a gracious personality that drew others near with ease. It was no secret that Sherri treasured her roles as a wife and mother as both her husband and son were truly the greatest gifts in her life. A generous hostess and fun-loving spirit, she was the heartbeat of wherever she went. Life will never be the same without Sherri here, but her family and friends will forever hold her memory near and dear to their hearts.

It seems only fitting that Sherri’s journey began during a time that was as colorful as she was. It was the 1960s when we elected the young John F. Kennedy as our 35th President of the United States only to mourn his death a short time later. Civil rights was in the forefront of our nation’s struggles, but there was much to celebrate by the time the decade drew to a close as we had put the first man on the moon. Amidst this vibrant time was a time of great anticipation in the lives of Sam and Grace (Watson) Valenti as they were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby as the beauty of late spring was unfolding in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1962. Their wait was over when the baby girl they named Cheryl Ann drew her first breath on May 26th. She was the younger of two children as she was raised in the family home in the Brady Street area on the Eastside of Milwaukee alongside her brother, Tony, who was 10 years her senior.

Over the years Sherri recalled her childhood fondly. Her father came from a close-knit Italian family, and he shared his deep love for his Italian heritage with his family. In the mid 1970s, Sherri’s parents opened a tavern they called “Sammy’s Tap,” and the tavern would play a significant role in Sherri’s life as well. Growing up on the Eastside, Sherri attended St. Hedwig Grade School and went on to graduate from Messmer High School in 1980. She also enjoyed going to Pulaski Playground, a popular hangout in the neighborhood. While growing up Sherri learned the incredible value of family, and she was very close to her family. With spending so much time around the family business, the patrons at the tavern became extended family members as well.

As a young woman Sherri was eager for all that life had in store. She worked in a variety of places, meeting several lifelong friends along the way. Sherri’s closest friends are Betsy and Carol. Her last job during this time was working in customer service for Sendik’s Food Market, which was a great fit as Sherri had a heart for helping people. She loved attending Summerfest every year, especially being there for opening day. Sherri enjoyed the music, but what she really loved most was all the people she met. She eventually worked the 10 day event for nearly 20 years because of her love for it all. Not to be forgotten during this time was Sherri’s introduction to a young man named Todd Nimmer in the early eighties. It’s not surprising that they met at Sammy’s Tap. They dated for about a year. Although they then split up, they remained friends.

Sherri’s life was forever changed when she entered a relationship that would provide one of the greatest days of her life with the birth of her son, Gene. Sherri loved and supported Gene in all his activities, and he was always her greatest source of pride and joy. They loved doing things together, and she was forever taking him fun and adventurous places like space camp. Life took an exciting turn for Sherri when the romance with Todd was rekindled several years later. They fell deeply in love and were married on February 26, 1994, at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church with Father Thomas Wittliff officiating.

Throughout her life Sherri experienced so many amazing things, but what made these experiences truly extraordinary were the people she shared them with. She enjoyed going to NASCAR races with Todd as well as attending church festivals, concerts, and bowling with friends. As someone who loved entertaining friends, she loved having the Last Christmas Party every year. Even as she battled a rare form of cancer over the past year, Sherri’s focus was on the ones she loved.

With unending devotion to the people she treasured most, Cheryl “Sherri” Nimmer was a blessing to everyone she met. She was the sort of person who would do whatever she could for someone else, and no one met her and left unchanged. Sherri considered the days she became a mother and wife to be the greatest days of her life, and her family brought her more joy than she had ever known. A stranger to none and a friend to all, Sherri was loved by many. She will never be forgotten.

Cheryl A. “Sherri” Nimmer (nee Valenti) died on November 16, 2017. Beloved wife of Todd A. Nimmer. Cherished mother of Gene (Maureen) Mussel. Loving daughter of Grace and the late Sam Valenti. Dear sister of Tony Valenti. Special aunt of Sam Valenti. Daughter-in-law of Marty and Diane Miller, and sister-in-law of Bridget (Paul) Novak. Further survived by other relatives and friends. Visitation Tuesday Nov 21 at St. Eugene Church 7600 N. Port Washington Rd. from 4:00 p.m. until time of Funeral Mass at 7:00 p.m. Private Interment Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements provided by Suminski / Weiss, LifeStory Funeral Homes, (414) 276-5122, SuminskiFuneralHome.com.