Memorial To Cheri

Cheryl Lee Vogel-Besemer
Born Nov 27, 1947
Died May 28, 2008

Cheri died during the tropical season of rainbows. Here in the south, as spring rushes toward summer, dark wet thunderstorms roll across the afternoon sky. The wind howls, the sky fills with the booming sound of lightening and then the rain falls in what seems to me the same large amount as the tears that well up from my heart and pour out of my eyes.

What I remember most about Cheri was her willingness to have an adventure. I'll never forget the day she called and said she had just flown in a fighter jet! Or, the time she took off with a friend for the far reaches of Napal, or the wonderful trip to Ireland that she planned for mom, herself, and me. She was born with that spirit of adventure and took joy in experiencing new places and new ideas. When she graduated from college Magna Cum Laude (not even sure if I spelled that right!) at about the age of 40, I was overwhelmed! What a courageous adventure that was for an "old person" to go back to school!

Cheri was filled with a wonderful artistic ability. Her creative style was reflected in the homes that she and Tom built. They were always places of comfort and beauty. Cheri excelled in sewing, which is today almost a lost art. It was an art that she had been in the process of passing down to her grandchildren, who she loved beyond measure.

I will miss the companionship, laughter and tears of the relationship I had with my sister. I'm very sad that her life was cut short. This past year has been like those thunderstorms rolling through the heavens and just when I think the sun will never shine again a sliver of light shines through and God paints the sky with a rainbow.

Every afternoon here in the tropical south, the thunderstorms roll through, followed by rainbows. Those rainbows cause me to smile because I think Cheri is probably dancing across the color spectrum just because it would be a fun adventure!

With love to my sister...
Niki Vogel-Butcher

A few pictures from her life:

Cheri was born in San Diego, Nov 27, 1947. She was three years younger than I.








Our father, George Vogel, and Cheri always had a special relationship. He cared for her deeply, and she cared and respected him. His death was a horrible blow to her, but now they have gotten back together and embraced in heaven!







My mom was always sewing pretty little dresses for us...often they were matching outfits. Cheri loved them and would show off and twirl and curtsey...she was a cute kid! I was a Tom-boy and would stand and watch her in amazement!








Cheri loved playing "dress-up". This is a picture of a cowboy outfit mom made. She made one for each of us that matched. I am in the picture too, but I just LOVE the expression on Cheri's face and wanted you to be able to see her expression. You can tell she is SO VERY proud to have this new "look".












The best times our family had was when we went camping. This was taken on one of those trips.














Our teenage years weren't pleasant. I don't think either Cheri or I...or for that matter, our parents, would ever want to live through that time period again!








When Cheri married Tom and became Cheri Besemer, her life took direction. She found meaning in the love she had for Tom and joy in her children.













Unfortunately, I don't have many pictures of Cheri & Tom's children, Mike and Allison, as they grew up. I moved away from the Bay Area of San Francisco to Newport Beach in Southern California, then on to Florida. Our lives parted and it wasn't until our children got out of school that we began our friendship again.









Once our kids were grown, every time I would visit California we'd have unique adventures together...this image was taken when we decided to visit one of our high school haunts down on the coast.













One of my most fond memories is of our trip together with mom to Ireland. My mom has Irish blood running through her veins, so it was great to see our "roots". The experience brought us all together in such a wonderful way. From this point on we all gained respect and a deeper love for each other.










Cheri and Tom retired early and bought a vineyard up in the lower Sierras near Grass Valley. I had gone for a visit when this picture was taken. We were planning our next "cuz'n" trip while I was there and having a great time looking toward the future. (Cuz'n Trip: we try and get together with Connie & Jan every year and do a special trip together)
This is the last picture of Cheri and I together.


This is my favorite picture of Cheri. It was taken the last time I saw her before her stroke. Cheri loved her grandkids with an intense passion. To her every one of them was the most perfect child in the world! I love the the look on her face. It shows the complete joy she had when she was around them.

Cheri's stroke was a rare massive stroke and the year became a nightmare for her family...and for her. It was a very hard year, yet through it all Cheri gave Tom, Mike and Allison a gift of great substance. That gift was the gift of character. They now know they can endure more than they thought they ever could. Not only are they able to endure, but they are able to do it day after day after day and do it with great love. Most people can endure short suffering, but when it goes on and on and on, it demands character. Cheri also taught them about the sacrifice of love and most importantly, she taught them about death.

During this year, Cheri's family...Tom, Mike and Allison...who she loved so much, returned that love in full measure. I'm sure she is very proud of them...I know I am.