Cheryl Ann Schwake, 80, of Waterloo passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, surrounded by her family at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.

Cheryl was born on June 2, 1944, in Waterloo to Leon J. and Zella M. (Swanger) Bucknell. She graduated from Waterloo East High School in 1962. Cheryl married Kenneth W. Schwake on May 8, 1965, in Waterloo. She worked as a customer service representative for Northwestern Bell for 22 years and then went on to work for MidAmerican Energy for 22 years, retiring in 2007. From an early age Cheryl's love for music blossomed, and for several years she played the organ on Sundays at her childhood church, St. Paul's Methodist in Waterloo. As she grew older, she learned how to play the piano and various other instruments. Cheryl and Ken previously attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterloo, where they both sang in the choir and Cheryl played in the bell choir before they became members of Ascension Lutheran Church in 2020. After retirement, Cheryl loved traveling with her family and spending time at their lake cabin in northern Minnesota where she cherished time with her grandchildren and soaking in her surroundings and her love for flowers. She served on the board of community concerts in Waterloo.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Cheryl is survived by her loving husband, Kenneth of Waterloo; sons, Darren Scott (Michelle) Schwake of Grand Rapids MN and Dustin (Debbie) Schwake of Oak Grove MN; brother, Richard (Kathy) Bucknell of Jesup; 7 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025, at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave, Waterloo.

An additional visitation will take place on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church, 2211 Maynard Ave, Waterloo. Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Burial to take place at Garden of Memories Cemetery-Waterloo.

Memorial Contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association and Cedar Valley Hospice.

Locke at Tower Park is serving the family. Please visit lockefuneralservices.com to offer your condolences.