luminous spirit left the world with the unexpected passing of Cheryl “Cheri” Ann (Van Akkeren) Di Renzo, 81, on July 12 at her much-loved home by Lake Michigan.
Cheri possessed an unmatched joie de vivre, bolstered by strong family ties and the love of dear friends. Every room she walked into took on a special glow. She was generous, outgoing, vivacious, and kind, a “hostess with the most-est.” Nothing made her happier than being with family, and she lived that sentiment every day. Many were the meals and events at her home, where siblings, spouses, nieces, nephews, and friends gathered in the kitchen or around the fire pit to celebrate life. She welcomed younger relatives to pitch a tent on her wooded property with their own friends. She hosted a lakeside family wedding a year ago.
Cheri was extremely proud of her son, Dr. Thaddeus Blanchette, a professor of anthropology at the National Museum of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro.
Cheri was married to the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Di Renzo, who predeceased her. Together they brightened any gathering and contributed generously to the arts and other philanthropic groups.
Cheri spent her career teaching art to middle schoolers in Omro, Wisconsin. An artist herself, she created paintings, wall hangings, and delightfully adorned furniture, and she supported other artists by collecting works that spoke to her. She held Easter-egg decorating parties and made elaborate witches’ hats for Halloween. Her house was a warm and beautifully wrapped package for many festive Christmases.
Cheri had many passions. She loved a nice glass of wine, thrift-shopping—she was adept at finding deals—and tooling around in her red convertible. She lavished love on her cat Vinny. She was an avid reader who always had a book going and was curious what others were reading. She relished swimming in the great lake she loved and after her workouts at the Sports Core in Kohler. She was a Sheboygan lifeguard for several summers while in college at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.
At Sheboygan South High School, Cheri was the homecoming queen and a cheerleader who often wished there were more sports for young women.
Cheri traveled extensively. She especially enjoyed annual jaunts to Florida in the winter with her mother, the late Janette Van Akkeren, and various siblings and trips to the California coast with her husband Bob.
Her family and friends will miss her immensely and will embrace the rich memories she leaves behind.
Survivors include her son, Dr. Thaddeus Blanchette and spouse Ana Paula da Silva of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; sister Sue (Van Akkeren) and spouse Herb Goltz of Creston, British Columbia, Canada; brother Tom Van Akkeren and spouse Barbara of Erie, Colorado; brother Tim Van Akkeren and spouse Mary Lynne Donohue of Sheboygan; brother John Van Akkeren of Sheboygan; brother Jim Van Akkeren and spouse Cindy of Sheboygan; brother Steve Van Akkeren and spouse Wendy Anderson of Sheboygan; sister Allison Van Akkeren and spouse Adrian Owens of Craftsbury, Vermont; and brother Brett Van Akkeren and spouse Evi Huffer of Washington, DC; her stepson Steve Di Renzo of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and her step-grandson Charles Di Renzo of Neenah. Also numerous nephews and nieces who brought her great joy. She was predeceased by her parents, Janette and Donald Van Akkeren, her sister Mary, and her husband Bob.
Cheri had a special place in her heart for single moms, as she was one for many years. Donations in her memory are encouraged to Bridgeway-SCIO and Planned Parenthood.
The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Cheri’s arrangements.
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