Cheryl Ellingson

Cheryl Diane Ellingson Himango passed away peacefully at home where she wanted to be on December 18, 2023. Her husband Jim loved her and was with her by her side at all times.

Cheryl was born to Victor and Ruth Lenton (nee Skare) in Stewartville, MN. She graduated from Pine Island High School in 1963. She worked at Collins in Cedar Rapids, welding interior wires for airplanes. She also worked for her uncle Vern at Cir-Kit Concepts in Rochester, putting together wiring circuits for doll houses. Cheryl loved sports and was an avid softball player, usually playing second base and pitcher positions. She played on many championship teams until she was 50 years old. She also loved to play golf and attended every home Honkers Baseball game for 10 years until moving to her dream summer home in the Blue Water Condominiums in Lake Delton, Wisconsin Dells.

Cheryl met Jim Himango in 1995. Cheryl and Jim were married August 3rd, 2013 on the beach by their condo surrounded by many loved ones and good friends. On their wedding day, Cheryl and her son Todd were driven across the lake by her friend Tom Hermes. Todd was able to "walk Cheryl down the aisle" of the lake to Jim. The pontoon was beautifully decorated by Cheryl and Jim's friends and family. As Cheryl was coming across the water, Daniel Rollinger was playing the clarinet and his mother Diane Rollinger was singing "Time In A Bottle".

Cheryl and Jim had a beautiful condo in Wisconsin Dells where she loved to be by the water for hours. It was the place she loved and her memories there were some of her favorites. Cheryl was a nanny for many years. She loved children and children loved her. Whenever the families would arrive for their vacation, the children would run up to Cheryl's deck. They would grab a treat from the tray and sit down to play and color. As they would sit there, they would have wonderful conversations with Cheryl as she colored with them. Cheryl loved games of all kinds and she played a game every day. The children would come into the house and go right to the game cabinet to pick their favorite game to play with Cheryl. As the visiting children grew older, Cheryl would take them into town with her and she would buy the children anything and everything they wanted. The children would keep coming back year after year to Cheryl's place.

She was also an artist that colored beautiful, very detailed pictures. She created many miniatures scenes including a house, a farm, a gazebo picnic in the park, dining room, floral shop, and an outdoor backyard. She also created many glittery jigsaw puzzles. Her basement at her and Jim's house in Rochester, was decorated from floor to ceiling with all kinds of sequins, glass and mirrors. Cheryl's clothing was always adorned with sequins and sparkle. She would get compliments on her outfits anywhere and everywhere she went. Sparkle wasn't just a fashion statement for Cheryl, it was her way of life.

Cheryl loved to take trips to the casino. Whether it was going to Ho Chunk Casino in Wisconsin, Laughlin, or all the way to the big lights of The Paris Casino in Las Vegas. She cherished the sparkle of Casinos. Cheryl got to take one final trip to Las Vegas with Tom and Lynn Eeg. She got back exactly 10 days before she passed away. She was so thankful for their loving help to get her one last hurrah in Vegas!

Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents Victor and Ruth; brother Gary Lenton;

Cheryl is survived by her loving and devoted husband James Himango; her son Todd (Jennifer) Puckhaber; grandsons Trystan and Jean-Luc Puckhaber; sister Pam (Mike) Kanz; the Hawkins Step-siblings; uncle Vern Skare; special cousin Dana Skare; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Celebration of Life will be held from 3-6 PM on Friday, December 22, 2023 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home, 5421 Royal Pl NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Burial will be at 10AM on Saturday, December 23, 2023 in Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Ellinson Himango family.