Gayle M. Cheever

Gayle M. Cheever, 71, of South Sioux City, passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2022.  Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday, May 5, 2022 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in South Sioux City. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 4, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. with vigil at 7:00 P.M. at Mohr & Becker-Hunt Funeral Home in South Sioux City. Burial will be at St. Michael Cemetery.  

Gayle was born the daughter of Gilbert and JoAnn (Wacker) Vondrak on January 16, 1951 in Sioux City, Iowa.  She graduated from Heelan High School in 1969 then attended Briar Cliff University. Gayle married Michael H. Cheever on August 17, 1974 in Sioux City, Iowa.  They made their home in Sioux City for a few years before settling in South Sioux City. 

Gayle worked for Penny’s, traveling all over with her coworkers, dressing in disguise and shopping. She ran an in-home daycare, sold Avon, worked for MCI, retired from First Financial Bank after health issues. 

Gayle was a firecracker from the start! Gayle loved riding horses in her youth, helping Jo around the house, and whatever Gib would throw her way as tasks or chores.  Gayle loved testing out the new cars on Gib’s car lot, as well as the occasional drag race.  

Gayle loved her family above all else.  Gayle enjoyed making sure Mike was cared for and had a subtle way of making sure he had everything he needed. Gayle loved attending every school event, or kids sporting event- she was everyone’s #1 fan!  Gayle was known for her camera in the crowd and always being the one to capture the moments family and friends wanted to last forever! Gayle had many bonus children, as she would call them, through the years, so she learned early on how to cook for an army!  Gayle loved everything that made the world a better place.  She loved God, crafting, crocheting, lure making, fishing, card playing, dancing, singing, playing the piano, and cooking. Gayle cherished the lake and Minnesota vacations where she would out fish everyone, beating the boys at cards, catching the biggest muskie, playing dice and games, swimming, shopping with the girls, and the list goes on.  Gayle enjoyed taking care of Grandma Jo, and grand-sitting Rosie, River, and Avery for her Girls, as well as making sure all the grandkids had exactly what they needed, or their parents wouldn’t buy!  Gayle loved bigger than most humans, always had an opinion to share even if you didn’t want to hear it, but she had your back whenever you needed it.  Mom will be impossible to replace, however her memory will last forever with the love she imprinted on our hearts!

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to the family.

Gayle is survived by her loving husband, Michael Cheever of South Sioux City; children, Nick (Sarah) Cheever of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Jason (Jaclyn) Cheever of Olathe, Kansas, Kristy (Jason) Raynor of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Cassandra (Lee) Kubik of Jackson, Nebraska; brothers, Greg Vondrak, Curt (Sue) Vondrak, and Daniel Vondrak all of Sioux City; and 15 grandchildren, Gabrielle, Magdalene, John Paul, Genevieve, Josephine, Anastasia, Virginia, Ezekiel, Peyton, Gibson, Nolan, and Quinn Cheever, River and Avery Raynor, and Rosie Kubik.

She was preceded in death by her parents and stillborn daughter, Baby Ann.