Cheryl A. Bader, 68, Duvall, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Friday, May 29, 2026, after an 11-year battle with breast cancer. Throughout her journey, Cheryl faced every challenge with remarkable courage, unwavering faith, and a determination that inspired everyone around her.

Born on December 2, 1957, in Dyckesville, Wisconsin, Cheryl was the daughter of Lorraine (Charles) and Joseph Borley. She grew up on the family farm, where she developed the strong work ethic, deep faith, and love of animals that would define her life. Cheryl graduated from Luxemburg-Casco High School and later attended NWTC to pursue her nursing career. On May 20, 1978, she married her loving husband, Mark G. Bader, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Dyckesville.

Music and faith were lifelong passions. An accomplished organist, Cheryl began playing for Mass at St. Louis Catholic Church while still in grade school. She later served as organist and choir director at St. Hubert in Rosiere, and organist at St. Peter in Lincoln for more than 25 years, carefully selecting music that blended traditional with new at weekly Masses, weddings, funerals, holidays, and countless special celebrations. Through her music, Cheryl comforted grieving families, celebrated joyful occasions, and helped generations of parishioners deepen their faith.

Her commitment to the Church extended well beyond music. Cheryl served on the Worship Committee for many years, helped coordinate flowers and decorations for church celebrations, and was deeply devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, honoring her through many Marian donations and participation in the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion events. She faithfully supported and found great joy in serving her parish communities.

The farm was another source of pride and joy. Cheryl worked alongside Mark caring for animals, maintaining the property, and helping with the many demands of farm life. Her love of animals was legendary, especially when it came to cats. While family and friends often teased her about the growing feline population, they knew every cat received the same compassion and care that Cheryl gave so freely to everyone around her. If there was a sick cat, she knew just what to do to nurse it back to health. Family and friends often joked that Cheryl had the cats trained, or perhaps the cats had Cheryl trained, but everyone knew those animals were loved and cared for beyond measure.

A devoted nurse for more than 42 years, Cheryl began her nursing career before even graduating from high school! She and her life-long best friend Jean completed the CNA program through NWTC, graduating in December 1975. They both graduated from high school spring of 1976 and went on to study the nursing program and graduated with a nursing degree from NWTC on January 19, 1978. Cheryl began working at St. Mary's Hospital on February 20, 1978, and worked there for 37 years in many departments including, the medical floor, the 5th floor surgical, family birthing, and the Emergency Room. She also worked as a nurse at the Green Bay Correctional Institution. When she retired from St. Mary's Hospital she worked as a nurse for Aurora Urgent Care for several years.

While building her nursing career, Cheryl and Mark raised their three children, Ryan, Eric, Nicole, on their family farm. She worked alongside Mark caring for livestock and maintaining the farm while also making family her highest priority. Cheryl was deeply involved in her children's lives, volunteering for school events, supporting fundraisers, attending activities, and helping wherever she was needed. Whether behind the scenes or in the front row, Cheryl could always be counted on to show up for the people she loved.

In recent years, some of Cheryl's greatest joys came from being a grandmother. Her grandchildren became the center of her world. Together with Mark, she created a home filled with toys, treasures, stories, and adventures. She loved playing, spending time outdoors, making puppy chow and memories with her beloved grandchildren, Oliver, Jackson and Addison.

Throughout her 11-year battle with breast cancer, Cheryl remained steadfast in her faith and determined to live life fully. She refused to allow her illness to define her. Instead, she focused on what mattered most: her family, her faith, her music, her animals, and the countless people whose lives she touched. Her strength, resilience, and trust in God inspired everyone who walked beside her on that journey.

Cheryl led a full, varied, colorful, and busy life packing so much in her 68 years. Those who know and love Cheryl will remember her quick wit, sometimes sassy words, generous heart, unwavering faith, legendary stubbornness, but mainly her beautiful heart of gold! Once Cheryl made up her mind, there was little chance of changing it. Yet that same determination enabled her to face life's challenges with courage and grace, and it became one of the qualities her family admired most.

Cheryl is survived by her beloved husband of 48 years, Mark Bader; her children, Eric (Jenna) Bader and their children Oliver, Jackson, and Addison; Nicole Bader (special friend Grant Gabler). She is further survived by her siblings Gary (Michele) Borley, and Julie (Tom Eisch) Corroy, her sister-in-law Leanne Snell (special friend Dave Drury). She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her son Ryan Bader; her parents Joseph and Lorraine Borley; her father-in-law and mother-in-law Alvin and Mary Bader; and her dear friend, Mary Rechek.

Friends may call 3:00 to 6:00 pm on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at the McMahon Funeral Home, Luxemburg. Closing parish prayer service 6:00 pm, Thursday. Visitation will continue between 9:00 and 10:45 am. On Friday, June 5, 2026, at St. Hubert Church in Rosiere. Funeral 11:00 am at the church with Rev. Dennis Drury officiating, Rev. Timothy Machila, Rev. Edward Looney and Rev. Antonio Palaya concelebrating. Entombment in the Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum.

McMahon Funeral Home is assisting the Bader family. Online condolences can be shared at McMahonFH.com.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Fr. Dennis Drury for his friendship, spiritual guidance, and support throughout Cheryl's journey. They also wish to thank the nurses and caregivers whose compassion and care brought comfort to Cheryl and her family. Cheryl's legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the patients she comforted, the music she shared, the faith she lived, the animals she cared for, and the countless lives she touched through her kindness and love.

The family welcomes floral tributes in Cheryl's memory. For those who prefer, memorial donations may be directed to the CLAWS Program at 4 Legged Friends in Luxemburg, Wisconsin, a tribute to Cheryl's lifelong love of and compassionate care for cats.