On April 6, in her home surrounded by her husband and her two daughters, Cheryl was drawn home to live in eternity with her Lord Savior Jesus Christ after a tenacious, 19 year battle with breast cancer. 

Born in Bellingham, Wash., on March 29, 1951, to W.L. and Gloria Staglund, Cheryl's family moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, in 1966, where she graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1969. Cheryl attended Eastern Washington University from 1969-1970. She then married her high school sweetheart, Chris Clark, in July 1970. They were married for over 43 years.

During the course of their marriage, Chris and Cheryl lived in Sandpoint and Moscow, Idaho, Seattle and Spokane, Wash., Aurora, Colo., Kennewick, Wash., Coeur d’Alene, and finally Hayden, Idaho, where they lived for the last ten years.

Cheryl worked in the Student Union Building as the chief doughnut maker while Chris earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Idaho. She then became a homemaker. After moving back to Coeur d’Alene in 1982, Cheryl worked as a manicurist, but chemical allergies forced a career change. She briefly worked at Lamonts Department Store, and then finished her working career at Interstate Concrete and Asphalt from 1986-1996. Cheryl then retired due to health issues as she battled breast cancer.

Cheryl was a devoted, dedicated, and wonderful homemaker, and worked tirelessly to make her family’s home beautiful. With her intuitive eye for detail and artistic talent, she could beautifully design and adorn rooms in terms of space, light, tone, and feel. Ever the perfectionist, Cheryl was known to take issue with inexactness - even readjusting the placement of dirty dishes in the dishwasher. She tackled projects (some incredibly complicated) tirelessly, working in her garden after dark, painting crafts into the wee hours, or doing anything until it was done (and done as perfectly as possible).

Cheryl was a master shopper. She could stretch a dollar beyond anyone's wildest imagination, and she prided herself on never paying full retail price for anything. Cheryl would often return from a day of shopping, a marathon day of shopping, emerging from her car hidden under dozens of bags and parcels, and enter the house beaming because she spent well below her budget (though never sacrificing on quality) after an 18 hour day hitting several department stores and a few boutiques along the way.

Cheryl was very active in her church communities. A devoted Christian, she was a founding member of All Saints Lutheran Church in Aurora, Colo. There, she sang in the choir, and served as the superintendent and teacher at the Sunday school. She attended Bible study groups at every church she belonged to, and worked with her sister, Marilee, at craft fairs at Lutheran Church of the Master where she also sang in the choir. Jesus Christ commanded us to love and serve others as He loved and served us, and Cheryl lived that command as well as any Christian. And when she walked through the door of Heaven with Christ, and God greeted her at the door, He said, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” 

Cheryl’s true love was always her family. Her marriage to Chris was a model of happiness, patience, and beauty to all. Chris says that as their relationship grew, she made him a much better man, person, and Christian than he ever thought himself capable. He will tell anyone that he certainly was blessed to “marry up.” 

Cheryl's daughters, Tara and Maggie, meant the world to her. Though she returned to work once the girls started school, Cheryl always had baked treats and a well-stocked, delicious smelling kitchen standing ready to entertain her many friends (and her daughters' friends). She was room mother, campfire leader, and always made time for her girls.

Cheryl’s heart expanded with her family when Tara married Dave TerHark in 1992, and Maggie married Dennis Scott in 2001. Chris and Cheryl were graced with grandsons Jackson TerHark in 2002, and Jed TerHark in 2007. The blessings continued with the births of Hazel Scott in 2009, and Russell Scott in 2012. Thankfully, Cheryl (though continually battling cancer) was able to forge loving bonds with each of her grandchildren, even celebrating her 63rd birthday with them just before her passing.

When people met Cheryl (or even came into contact with her), her gracious smile and warm spirit made everyone feel immediately comfortable, and she made many wonderful friendships. Sweet, kind, and generous to friends and strangers alike, Cheryl truly possessed a heart of gold.

Cheryl’s death marks the end of a long and arduous journey in her battle with breast cancer. Throughout the entire 19 year ordeal, she remained optimistic and positive, even up to her final few days. She was so selfless that she continued to put others’ well-being before her own, even in the darkest times of her battle. During the fight, Cheryl never once expressed self-pity or a “woe-is-me” attitude, and when the cancer continued to spread and she endured more tests, more radiation, more chemotherapy, and more procedures, she just said, “Well, here we go again; tomorrow will be a better day,” often comforting those around her with her remarkable, inspirational attitude. Throughout her life and up to the end, she was always more concerned with everyone else despite her own pain, fatigue, and discomfort. Right after she decided to end chemotherapy treatments, she looked at Maggie and said, “I can’t believe how fast it went.” Maggie knew she was talking about her life, and it was a moment Maggie will hold in her heart forever. She has been an inspiration to her family, friends, Hospice nurse, and all those around her. Cheryl created an extraordinary model of how to fight cancer with grace, dignity, and hope. 

Cheryl is survived by her spouse, Chris Clark; two daughters: Tara TerHark (Dave), and Maggie Scott (Dennis); mother, Gloria Staglund; sisters: Marilee Renfrew (Doug) and Linda Bottcher (Doug); brother, Dan Staglund (Starla); four grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. 

Chris, Tara, and Maggie would like to thank all the doctors, nurses, and staff at the KMC Cancer Center and Auburn Crest Hospice. They would especially like to thank Jenny Drummond, R.N., for all her excellent care, deep compassion, and tireless support. The family would also like to thank all who have supported them with prayers, food, financial aid, and visitations; they are overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity people have shown over the course of this long journey. 

A celebration of Cheryl’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 3, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 625 E. Haycraft Ave., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. In lieu of gifts or flowers, please consider making a donation to the KMC Cancer Center, Auburn Crest Hospice, and/or Peace Lutheran Church in Cheryl’s name.