Cheryl A. Voelker   July 11, 1937 – January 16, 2023 

Cheryl A. Voelker, 85, of Mission Viejo, CA (formerly of Scottsdale, AZ and St. Paul, MN) passed away on January 16, 2023. She was born on July 11, 1937, as the oldest daughter in the Rush family of six children in St. Paul, MN.

Cheryl touched an abundance of lives and always put others first. She not only saw the way people were, but saw the way they could be. She was an encourager with endless enthusiasm and optimism.  There was never a project too large. She had the patience of an angel.

Cheryl fostered an environment that encouraged fun, creativity and generosity. She was a crafter, crocheter, garden enthusiast, music-lover, cat-lover, seamstress, baker and dedicated volunteer.  She crocheted booties/hats/blankets and donated them to newborns. She was a part of the Peace Farm Ministry at Saddleback Rancho Capistrano that grew and created beautiful flower bouquets and donated them to the elderly and whomever else needed them. She baked cookies for neighbors and visitors. She demonstrated how to serve.

Cheryl attended Saddleback Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents Maurice Rush and Irene Bowen Rush, her husband Melvin Voelker, her son Dean Voelker, her brothers Gerald Rush and Warren Rush, and her sister Suzanne Rush Record.

Cheryl is survived by her son, Todd Voelker (Melissa); daughters, Kimberly Voelker Peck (Philip) and Jamie Voelker Shedarowich (Darryl); her brother Eugene Rush; her sister Suzette Rush Toth; 4 grandchildren: Natasha, Dean, Jr., Celeste and Christian; and 2 great grandchildren: Gabriel and Melanie.

Cheryl was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be greatly missed.

A Memorial Service will be Friday, February 10 at 2:00 P.M. at O’Connor Mortuary, 25301 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Hills, CA.

Donations in Cheryl’s name may be made to Saddleback Church:  https://saddleback.com/giving-at-saddleback  Or American Lung Association:  https://action.American Lung Association/site/Donation2?df_id=31272&mfc_pref=T&31272.donation=form1 

O’Connor Mortuary, 949 581-4300 www.oconnormortuary.com