Cheryl J. Christians

Cheryl Jean Christians, the daughter of Walter and Carol Simpson Benton, was born November 30, 1952, at Topeka, Kansas. She died October 22, 2007, as the result of an auto accident near York, Nebraska.
Cheryl moved to Minnesota with her family at the age of seven, and lived in Minneapolis, Crystal and New Hope, where she graduated from Cooper High School with the class of 1970. She attended Liberty Baptist College in Lynchburg, Virginia, where she met her future husband, Curtis. They were married June 8, 1974, at Minneapolis, Minnesota and two daughters and one son were born to that union. After their marriage, Cheryl attended cosmetology school in Lynchburg. They moved to Belleville, Kansas, in 1979, and in 1984, they moved to Beloit.
Cheryl enjoyed her work at the Beloit High School Library and kitchen until 1998, when she went to work for the City of Beloit in the Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Department. Her cheery disposition was always a motivation for her fellow workers.
Cheryl's father was a minister and her faith and love for her church were developed at a young age. She was a faithful member of the Beloit First Christian Church and was actively involved in the youth and music programs. She was also a longtime member of the Beloit Community Orchestra and the string ensemble.
Cheryl's family was the love of her life and she loved spending time with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Curtis of the home; two daughters and their husbands, Leah and Jason Johnson of Beloit and Hannah and Manny Gakou of Omaha, Nebraska; a son, Josh and his wife, Rosa of Siloam Springs, Arkansas; her mother, Carol Benton of Champlin, Minnesota; a brother, Ed Benton and wife, Kathy of Richfield, Minnesota; three sisters and their husbands, Brenda and Bob Olsen of Minnetrista, Minnesota, Patricia and Rick Mahlum of Plymouth, Minnesota, and Donna and Chris Herrlin of Champlin, Minnesota; and three grandchildren, Madalyn and Creighton Johnson and Nyah Christians.
Cheryl was preceded in death by her father and a sister, Belinda Benton.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Tuesday, October 30. at the Beloit First Christian Church with burial at Elmwood Cemetery. Memorials may be give for the church or the family. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday at the McDonald Funeral Home in Beloit. The casket will remain closed.