Cheralyn "Cheri" Hanson

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Cheri's family.

Cheralyn “Cheri” Rae Hanson was born on July 4, 1953 to Hjalmer and Arlene (Pangrac) Hanson in Benson, Minnesota. She was baptized on September 28, 1953 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. She was confirmed there as well on May 27, 1970. Cheri grew up in Benson and graduated in the class of 1971. In August of 1974, she was married to John Ripka. After marrying John, the couple lived in many different places, including Sauk Centre, Benson, Litchfield, Minnesota and Canton, South Dakota. While married they were blessed with four children. They later divorced in 1987. Cheri was blessed with another child in 1988. She moved to many more places and took classes at Minnesota West for Accounting and Photography. While living in Rapid City, Cheri worked as a photographer. She enjoyed working hospitality in many different places. Cheri was the first of six children and enjoyed helping her mom take care of her younger siblings. She cooked, cleaned and helped where needed. In her younger years, she worked at the Youth Garden, was a candy striper and also worked at Ranguards Café in Benson. In high school, she and her sister Jean were a part of a church singing group called the Koinonians. When she moved back to southwestern Minnesota she worked in many food and hospitality positions and volunteered at the Senior Center in Luverne, Minnesota until she became sick and was no longer able to help. In 2022, Cheri became a resident at the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, Minnesota, where on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, she passed away at the age of 71 years old.

Cheri had many different hobbies. She loved photography, knitting and her grandchildren. When she was younger she enjoyed roller skating and fishing. Cheri could often be heard saying “uff-duh” and “you betcha”. She was a very stubborn Norwegian, who wanted things her way, but she was very kind and would quite literally give her family her last dime if they needed it. She loved her kids and her grandchildren so much that the only thing she wanted for Christmas or her birthday was pictures of everyone. Cheri was very patriotic, as she had many family members in the military and she was born on the fourth of July. While living in the nursing home she became very close with the staff and enjoyed most of the activities they had, especially Bingo and the “Senior Prom”.

Cheri is survived by her children, Christopher Ripka of Rapid City, South Dakota, Stacy (Larry) Carter of Black Hawk, South Dakota, Lance (Destiny) Ripka of Luverne, Amanda (Ben) Bernard of Luverne and Kayla Ripka of Luverne; siblings, Jerome Hanson of Aubrey, Texas, Greg (Toni) Hanson of Gordonville, Texas, Mark (Laurie) Hanson of Benson and Dale (Theresa) Hanson of Benson; grandchildren, Timothy (Amber) Shine, Cara Ripka, Cassidy (Eddie)Ripka, Alexander (Jadyn) Fish, Jayden Fish, Jason Fish, Kristin Carter, Sean Carter and Hayden Carter, Justyce (Noah) Gartner, Braydon (Melody) Ripka, Caleb Bernard, Alex Bernard, Jordyn (Drake) Cleaveland, Riley Ripka, Albany Waterbury, Aria Bernard, Eli Ripka, Bentley Runge, Tucker Kurrasch and Christian Ripka; great-grandchildren, Dominic Kuxhaus, Hunter Kuxhaus, Aoife Shine, Johnathan Ripka and baby girl Gartner on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Jean Skoglund; brother-in-law, Ray Skoglund; and grandparents, Della and Benny Hanson and John and Francis Pangrac.