Cheryl Louise Vessey

Cheryl Louise Vessey, 74, of Rochester, Minnesota, passed away peacefully with her children by her side on March 10, 2026, at Bay Harbor Senior Living in La Crescent, Minnesota, following a courageous battle with Lewy body dementia.

Born on July 24, 1951, in Rochester to Marvin and Marvis (Bergman) Muller, Cheryl grew up in her hometown and graduated from John Marshall High School. She spent 32 years at IBM as an administrative assistant before retiring and later working at Ell Boutique until 2020. A dedicated volunteer, she gave many hours of her time at the Ronald McDonald House and Mayo Clinic Caring Hands, offering comfort to patients and forming lasting friendships through her strong work ethic and genuine kindness.

In 1971, Cheryl married Craig Vessey. Together they raised two children, Jennifer and Todd. Though they later divorced, Cheryl and Craig remained close friends throughout their lives. She lived with energy and joy, finding delight in animals, especially dogs, and in the simple beauty of nature and birds. An avid runner, hiker, and biker, she maintained a lifelong passion for health and fitness. Cheryl cherished time with friends over coffee or lunch and was deeply social, yet her greatest happiness came from her family. She treasured every moment spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Faith was central to Cheryl’s life. A devoted member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester, she found particular joy in its music ministry. Even as Lewy body dementia challenged her, she faced it with remarkable grace, courage, and hope, leaning on her faith for strength. Known for her vibrant smile, contagious laugh, and compassionate spirit, Cheryl brought encouragement and light to those around her.

She is survived by her children, Jennifer (Scott) Anderson and Todd (Jessica) Vessey; grandchildren Annika (Myer) VanEssen, Morgan (Asa) Nelson, Drew Vessey, and Elise Vessey; great-grandchildren Andrew and Henry Nelson and Remmington VanEssen, with another great-grandson VanEssen on the way; sister Kristen (Greg) Rausch; nieces Alyson (Ben) Fischer, Emily (Jon) Van Schyndel, and Katie (Neal) Tovsen; nephew Jeff (Jennifer) Lacey; great-nieces and nephews Corrine Fischer, Sebastian and Ada Tovsen, and Dylan Lacey; and her former husband and close friend, Craig Vessey. She was preceded in death by her sister, MaryKay Lacey; brother-in-law, David Lacey; and her parents.