She was raised on the family farm, attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and graduated with the New Hampton High School class of 1966. She began working at the local bank. It was during this time in New Hampton that she met her future husband, David Reichter. In 1969, she moved to Elkader, where she worked at a bank before settling into her part-time careers. She began working at the Elkader City Clerk’s office part-time from 1971 to her retirement in 2003. She also worked part-time as a payroll clerk for the Central Community School District from 1975 to her retirement in 2005. Cheryl was very good at her choice of jobs and was a meticulous bookkeeper, which she carried on throughout her entire life.
On August 9, 1969, she married Dave, the love of her life, and they began their happy life in Elkader. They purchased a farm in 1976 and were happy to become farmers once again, in addition to her two part-time jobs. On July 14, 1974, their son, Brian David, was born, and their family became complete.
Cheryl enjoyed getaway trips with her mother and sisters to various destinations, embroidery, and caring for her numerous flower gardens around the farm. She was a member of the Ladies’ Chit Chat Club for over 50 years. She also enjoyed playing cards in a card club with special friends for over 40 years, going on car cruises in their red Mustang GT, attending the Clayton County and Iowa State Fairs, taking their two grandsons to the toy farm shows in Dyersville, and watching sporting events, cheering on the NFV TigerHawks, Upper Iowa Peacocks, and ISU Cyclones. The thing that made her happiest was watching her three grandchildren Abby, Blake, and Cael participate in all their sports games and other activities. They were her pride and joy.
Cheryl is survived by her son Brian and his wife, Kim (Fitzgerald) Reichter of Hawkeye, granddaughter, Abby (Trey) Kuhens of West Union, grandsons, Blake and Cael Reichter of Hawkeye, siblings, John (Gladys) Christoph, Dave (Bern) Christoph, Steve (Mary) Christoph, Marj (Dennis) Troyna, all of New Hampton, Donna (Len) Huegel of Holmen, Wisconsin, Rosanne (Dennis) Wilke of Altoona, sister-in-law Jackie Reichter of Grimes, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David, of 51 years, in 2020; her parents, Herbert and Marceile Christoph; in-laws, Wendell and Bernice Reichter; brother-in-law, Dean Reichter; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and a nephew.
A Visitation will be held from 4 to 7pm on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Elkader, Iowa. There will also be a one-hour visitation before services at the church on Thursday.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30am on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at Holy Name Catholic Church in West Union, Iowa.
Interment will follow at Eastside Cemetery, Elkader, Iowa.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader, Iowa is assisting the family with services.