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Cheryl Lechtenberg

cheryl lechtenberg

May 2, 1949 ~ January 9, 2021

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Cheryl A. Lechtenberg age 71 of New Hampton, IA died Saturday, January 9, 2021 at MercyOne Medical Center in New Hampton, IA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 14, 2021 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Washington with Rev. Brian Dellaert celebrating the Mass. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in North Washington. If you are unable to attend the Mass, please join the family on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. for the Mass via the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home Facebook page. Friends may greet the family from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton where there will be a 7:00 p.m. parish scripture service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass on Thursday at the church in North Washington. Cheryl’s amazing life began on May 2, 1949, the day her parents, Clayton and Virginia (Johnston) Burgart, welcomed their daughter into the world. She was born in New Hampton and grew up on a farm between Fredericksburg and New Hampton, where she loved to ride horses. Along with her five brothers and four sisters, she learned that everyone had chores and jobs around the farm. She attended school in New Hampton, and she was a member of the New Hampton High School Class of 1967. Cheryl’s family attended St. Mary’s Church, as did a young man named Kenny Lechtenberg, who will admit now that this pretty young woman was one reason he was so faithful about attending Mass. They went out on their first date in 1968, and a year later — on June 21, 1969 — they were married at St. Mary’s, beginning an adventure that lasted for 51 1/2 years. They settled in North Washington and welcomed five children — Tammy, Troy, Trisha, Travis and Trent —who knew they had a special mother who had a gift when it came to kids, one that would serve her well when she opened her in-home day care. The Lechtenberg kids knew a few things: Mom hated to wear shoes, she loved going to their sporting events and it didn’t matter what the time of day was when they and their friends showed up, she would always cook them breakfast. Cheryl’s disdain for shoes will always be a part of the Lechtenberg family lore. There was the time, she couldn’t understand where a “clicking” sound was coming from; it turned out she had a thumb tack stuck to the bottom of her foot. When Cheryl’s kids moved into their own homes, they were never shocked when Mom left her shoes at their houses. She had a soft spot for children of all ages, especially babies, and for more than 30 years, she arose at 4, 4:30 in the morning, got in the first 2 1/2 miles of the seven miles she walked every day, came home and took care of area children. Her day-care kids, many of whom are now adults and raising their own children, still talk about the fun and the memories they made at “Grandma Cheryl’s” house. Cheryl loved supporting her kids, and Kenny and her rarely, if ever, missed their sporting events, and that love for sports grew even stronger when their 13 grandchildren began playing. It didn’t matter what sport, she was there, always with a Mountain Dew in hand. She was also a voracious collector of knick knacks; in fact, it’s doubtful that she ever passed on buying one. Although she had thousands — seriously, thousands — of them, she knew where all of them belonged. If you switched the red and the blue ones, as the friends of the Lechtenberg kids tried to do — she would come into the room and say, “You guys are so funny.” If one word describes Cheryl, it is kind. She loved helping and supporting Opportunity Village, she delivered candy canes every year to the Mennonite and Amish schools, helped whenever and wherever she could at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and, of course, if you were one of Grandma Cheryl’s kids, you knew she would always have your back. She lived a full life, and right up until a couple of weeks ago, she was still running her day care and still getting her seven miles of walking in every day. Our little corner of the world will not be the same without her, and her children, grandchildren, family members, friends and day-care kids will miss her dearly. Cheryl is survived by her husband of more than 51 years, Kenny Lechtenberg; three sons, Troy Lechtenberg of North Washington, Travis Lechtenberg of New Hampton, Trent (Courtney) Lechtenberg of New Hampton; two daughters, Tammy (Eric) Robinson of New Hampton, Trisha (Jamie) Wegner of New Hampton; 13 grandchildren Dylan Robinson, Abby Robinson, Ty Robinson, Tarron Lechtenberg, Tanner Lechtenberg, Tyanna Lechtenberg, Darian Wegner, Sydney Wegner, Molly Wegner, Brayden Lechtenberg, Brooks Lechtenberg, Brea Lechtenberg, Breslin Lechtenberg; four brothers, Richard (Janet) Burgart of New Hampton, Roger (Mary) Burgart of Sumner, Randy (Linda) Burgart of New Hampton, Rocky (Sue) Burgart of New Hampton; four sisters, Dianne Dann of Fredericksburg, Barbara (Dennis) Folkers of Oelwein, Dixie (Jim) Joebgen of North Washington, Dawn (John) Eichenberger of Lawler; many nieces and nephews; and the scores of kids who spent their days at “Grandma Cheryl’s” house. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Joseph Clayton in infancy and Rance in 1981; step-mother, Mavis Burgart; and one unborn child.

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  4. Absolutely so sad to see this!! Praying for all of you!! Hugs Tammy Robinson, Trisha, and all the boys!! Thinking of all of you😢

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  17. Sorry for your loss. She was one maybe the only woman I know that loved unconditionally her husband, children, and their spouses, grandchildren, her 100’s daycare kids through out the years,, siblings, and friends!! Rest in Peace, friend, you lived a giving life.

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  34. Our deepest sympathies to the families. She was such a wonderful person!! I have many memories of her and the little grocery store in North Washington. ❤️🙏

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  41. So sorry for your loss. She really enjoyed the classmate breakfast we had. Just beamed about her grandkids and daycare kids!

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  58. My condolences Trish Lechtenberg Wegner and Tammy Robinson. My deepest sympathy to you and your families.

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  70. So sad to hear this. My heart is broken. My deepest sympathies to Kenny, Tammy, Troy, Trish, Travis, Trent and families.

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  73. From what I heard she loved children to pieces. Thinking of all her own children as well as all the families she cared for over the years:( May she watch over all the children in heaven.

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  90. So sad to hear this news. She loved her family and all the daycare children that have been blessed to have her as a second mom. Prayers and thoughts to the family. RIP

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  94. Sending our prayers to her family and friends at this difficult time. God has welcomed another Angel into his Heavenly home. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

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  102. Cheryl was such a happy person, always enjoyed her at the classmate breakfast. Your whole family is in my prayers and thought.

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  108. Our deepest sympathy to the Lechtenberg and Burgart families! You are all in our thoughts and prayers. May all of your wonderful memories comfort you. Hugs to all!

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  115. May her memories console you today. She was a great lady and always happy. Our prayers to all the family. Jeanne and David Roder

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  119. Our deepest sympathy to all of the Lechtenberg family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Vonnie & Dave Van Oort

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  121. So very sorry to hear this…Growing up Cheryl was a wonderful neighbor, always had a smile on her face….She definitely loved her family and loved her daycare kids like her own….RIP Cheryl 🙏..My deepest sympathy for her family…

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  128. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this most difficult time. Celebrate your mom as she deserves. ALWAYS BLESSINGS 💝 NEVER LOSSES Sincerely, Margo, Jim, Spencer and Irelynn Bodensteiner

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  131. Cheryl was a super wonderful Lady. We shared lots of laughs together. She absolutely loved her gazing balls. When she came to Theisen’s she always said to me “Got Any New Ones” No matter if it were Winter or Summer. Or else Black Licorice. Always a very Happy and cheerful person!! She will be missed not only by myself but by Soooo Many Others. Rest ln Peace Cheryl!!

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  135. I have so many memories with Cheryl. Her heart was large enough to care for all her kids plus all her daycare kids! I remember so many days getting off of the bus after school, playing in the sand box, and pushing the babies around in the stroller till they fell asleep. She always had time to paint little girls nails and all her pretty nick nacks. Cheryl will always have such a special place in my heart and I think the is the first woman that I ever met that had such a love and appreciation for the color black. My you fly high Cheryl and send your loving protection over everyone that you met as you always did here on earth.

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  136. Cheryl’s smile said it all. She was a beautiful person inside and out. Deepest sympathy to Cheryl’s family.

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  137. Sending our deepest sympathies and prayers to the entire family. Find much comfort and peace in your many memories. Dave and Terry Utterback

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  138. Always enjoyed Cheryl at our classroom breakfasts and marveled at her energy. She loved those grand babies so much.

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  139. We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Cheryl. She will be deeply missed and remembered by so many that loved her.

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  140. Trish, we are saddened at the loss of your mother. Please accept our warmest condolences as you mourn her loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

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  141. My deepest sympathy to the Burgart and Lechtenberg families. I am very sorry for your loss. Joann Throndson

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  145. I was always told we resembled each other. Always made me proud! Rest In Peace sweet cousin. Love & prayers to your family. Judy Hafner

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  146. To all of the family, siblings also- our deepest sympathy to you. Lots of fun memories of visiting her parents and all the kids on the farm. They were all so good to us. You are all in my thoughts and prayers

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  147. Our deepest sympathy to the family of Cheryl. So very sorry for your loss. MY you find peace and comfort in the coming days. Paul and Beverly Veres

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  148. To Kenny, Tammy, Troy, Trish, Travis, Trent and all of your families…you have our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies. Cheryl is a wonderful woman and her spirit will live on. Ryan & Trishia Dietzenbach and family

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  150. Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.

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  151. Oh, but Heaven gained a beautiful angel upon Cheryl’s arrival. I so enjoyed running into her, usually at the grocery store, and catching up on the latest. We offer many prayers to comfort the broken hearts of the Lechtenberg and Burgart families, and all of her “kids” (as she referred to them) who she loved and cared for as if her own. Rest In Peace, sweet Cheryl.

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  157. Our sympathy to all of Cheryl’s family for your loss. Her happy personality and warm smile will be missed by many….

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  158. We are so sorry for your loss. Cheryl sure was one of a kind. She is a part of many wonderful memories and stories. Sending prayers to your family.

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  161. We enjoyed our visits with Cheryl, especially the time extra ‘guests’ arrived. Our sympathies and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

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  165. “Grandma Cheryl” was an amazingly kind and caring woman who took care of David like he was her own. She always had a warm smile and more energy than someone half her age! When she called to check on us after we moved to Georgia and then after the girls were born, it was heartwarming to hear the love in her voice. I wish we could hear her voice again, but we rejoice she’s in heaven and perfectly restored.

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  166. Prays for all of Cheryl’s family. Cheryl’s was a sweet person and a good friend. So happy I got to see her at our 50th class reunion. My heart goes out to you all.

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