Cheri Chard

Loving daughter, mother, aunt, Godmother, niece, cousin, and friend; Cheri Dee Wadlow Chard’s physical life came to an end on February 10, 2022, at the age of 47 after a courageous battle with cancer. Though it may have taken her body, her strong will and brave spirit will continue to live on in her legacy.

She was born on July 24, 1974, in Farmington, Missouri to Dennis and Carol Wadlow. Growing up in Saint Louis, Cheri was raised by her resilient mother, Carol. Together they loved spending time with their large family. She spent time at her condo with her oversized Swatch Watch and uber-cool Mickey Mouse phone. She also enjoyed her Apple II E computer with games like Frogger and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. Cheri learned from an early age, family first, as she and her mother spent a lot of time with her father, Dennis, at Jefferson Barracks. Carol and Cheri also enjoyed going to her grandparents’ farm; many remember her blonde hair blowing in the wind as she would run through the fields. As she grew older, she developed into a strong, creative, intelligent mind.

Cheri graduated from Mehlville High School where she created lifelong friendships. She was full of life and attended school dances, picnics, and several New Kids on the Block concerts. She loved laying in the pool listening to Wilson Phillips while working on her tan.  Weekends were spent cruising around town in her aunt Dottie’s Camaro with friends. After high school, she attended Colorado State University and studied graphic design, though she also excelled in numbers and problem-solving skills. She loved living in Colorado where she was able to ski and enjoy the mountains.

Cheri loved being a mom and was blessed with four amazing children; Maddy, Riley, Avery, and Emma. Her proudest moments always included her kids. She loved being a stay-at-home mom while her children were young. Her creative thinking always led them into fun adventures. They had hoosier pool parties, Six Flags trips, and enjoyed going to the YMCA. Vacation season was always exciting as it typically included fun in the sun. Cheri enjoyed cruises, camping, and boating at Clearwater Lake. They also took trips to Florida, Alabama, Mexico, and the Caribbean.  Cheri’s intelligence, creativity, love for art, and loyalty shine through her daughter, Maddy. Her determination, wit, stubbornness “Wadlow charm”, and protectorship live through Riley. Cheri’s caring heart, attentiveness, clever thinking, and eager willingness come through with her son Avery. While her honesty, diligent work ethic, compassion, and infectious laughter are in Emma. If Cheri taught her children anything it was “Family Together Always”, which they will continue to thrive from as they make their mom proud.

She built a beautiful life full of friendships and loved her FUBO sisters as they filled the room with sarcasm and laughter. From BUNCO games and painting, to road trips and concerts the FUBO girls kept each other laughing. She built a tribe of fierce women who she could laugh with, cry with, and forever depend on. Her strong, determined, driven, and passionate personality shined through for all to see.

In more recent years, her knack for numbers and attentive detail led to her career as an accounts receivable manager. Her determination helped her come back to the workforce after taking years off to raise her kids. When she was focused, she was always twirling her hair. Those that knew Cheri knew she loved the center piece of anything gooey like cinnamon rolls and gooey butter cake. She often said, “I licked it, so it’s mine!”

Cheri and Brad liked spending time together by watching movies, exploring restaurants like Tivoli, and traveling to Florida. However, their favorite pastime was simply just encouraging one another.

Cheri was preceded in death by her father, Dennis Wadlow; grandparents, Al and Flossie Apenbrink, and Dorse Wadlow. She is survived by her mother, Carol Wadlow; children, Maddy, Riley, Avery, and Emma Chard; grandmother, Barbara Wadlow; Godson, Jacob, and many uncles and aunts, cousins, and loyal friends.

She expressed a wish for her family to host a Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers, all donations can be made to their GoFundMe .

Services: Visitation will be held, Tuesday, February 15, 2022, from 11:00 am until the time of Celebration of Life at 2:00 pm at John L. Ziegenhein & Sons, 4830 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO 63129.