CHERILYN MUDDER

Cherilyn Kay (Nelson) Mudder, daughter of Clayton and Marie (Pool) Nelson, was born August 29, 1945, on a farm south of Avon. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Saturday evening, February 19 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Cherilyn attained the age of 76 years, 5 months, and 21 days.

Funeral services were Wednesday, February 23rd at the First Baptist Church in Avon. Interment was at the First Baptist Cemetery south of Avon. Peters Funeral Home of Avon was in charge of the arrangements. Memorials will be directed to First Baptist Church, 412 Main St, Avon where a collection will be made to donate to Glad Tidings Bible Camp.

Cherilyn graduated from Avon High School in May of 1963, and she married Jerry Mudder on June 14, 1963, at First Baptist Church in Avon. Their 53 years of marriage were blessed with four children, eleven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Cherilyn stayed at home on the farm until her youngest child started school. She then began working at the Tyndall Good Samaritan Center as a CNA, eventually also working as a restorative and a Med Aid over the next 31 years. Her servant’s heart was continuously stretched as she grew increasingly patient, gentle, and kind.

Cherilyn joined the First Baptist Church after getting married. She attended and served as a church member for the rest of her life. It was where she received Christ, and it was here where her family was instructed from the Bible for four hours each week. It was Cherilyn’s faith in Christ that defined her life. Her children will always remember her sitting at the table with her study Bible open, highlighter in hand, pouring over the words and their meanings. She was an avid reader and prayer warrior.

Cherilyn was a caregiver. Besides raising her children and working at the nursing home, she gradually had to care more and more for her own mother, Marie, near the end of her life, as well as for Jerry as his health deteriorated. If any grandchildren were sick, she would take care of them as often as possible. After spending a lifetime caring for others, she spent the last few years of her life fighting to maintain her own health, but even then she was fighting to spend just a little more time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Thankful for having shared her life are her children and their spouses, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren: Julie Mudder of Avon, Emily Mudder and Scott Bye and baby of Kevin, MT, Lukkes Mudder of Watertown; Jim and Samantha and Jacob Mudder of Platte, Jamie and Megan Houser of Sioux Falls, Jaylen and Melanie and Dallas Schulte of Watertown; Jan and Nadia and Jeremiah, Audrey, and Isaiah Mudder of Armour; Corey and Jeri Lyn and Kinsley, Kennasyn, and Kellen Jastram of Sioux Falls. Cherilyn is survived by her brother Galen Nelson of Sioux Falls; her brother-in-law Alvin and wife Betty Mudder of Avon; her brother-in-law Bob Pudwill of Springfield; sister-in-law Adella (Mudder) Massey of Avon; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, cousins, and other friends.

Cherilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Mudder; her son, Jay Mudder; her parents, Clayton and Marie Nelson; her mother-in-law, Elsie Mudder; her brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Charlene Nelson; and her nephew, Scott Nelson.