Cheryl Pederson, 64, of Rapid City, formerly of Winner, SD passed away on Tuesday, October 6th, 2020 at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, October 10th, 2020 at 1:00PM at the Winner City Cemetery in Winner, SD. Due to the Corona Virus, family is asking for everyone to please wear a mask and to practice social distancing!

Cheryl Pederson was born April 6, 1956 to Ingvol and Lila Pederson in Winner South Dakota. She is the oldest of twins by 5 minutes. Cheryl and her twin Cheree spent the first 9 years of their lives living at the family farm in Tripp County.

Cheryl's love of animals began close to birth.   Her older sister Leora sold her accordion to buy Cheryl's first pony, Sugar when she was 3 years old.

After losing her parents at the age of nine she and her twin sister Cheree moved with their ponies to live with Sister Glennies Smith and family.   She attende4d the rural Black Hawk School where she was a cheerleader and participated in several school plays and learned to play clarinet. She was also involved in 4 H. She attended Junior high in Rapid City and finished her high school career in Winner.

Cheryl rodeoed in High school and college. In the summer she would come back to the family farm and helped farm. Cheryl started her secondary education at University of South Dakota Springfield.  She finished her Master's Degree at Regis University in Colorado.  Cheryl lived in Denver while working toward her Master's Degree.  While attending college she worked for attorneys.  While in Colorado she was involved in Victims Advocacy, helped set up Crime Watch in several communities.  She was also named Volunteer of the Year for the Aurora Police Department in Colorado.    While working at the law offices she honed her debating skills which she effectively used throughout her life.

When Cheryl moved back to Rapid City, she worked for First Administrators and for the past nine years. Cheryl has been Director of Hospital Compliances for Vitalent, formerly United Blood Services.

Throughout Cheryl's life she continued her love for animals.  She served as President of the Humane Society Board. She also fostered dogs and cats. She orchestrated and attended many other adoption events. Cheryl was actually known as a Foster Flunkey because she would adopt most of her foster animals.

Cheryl always had a positive outlook on life.  She was always willing to help others including a time recently when she was driving down the street, saw a puppy running down the sidewalk.  She turned her car around to discover that a homeless couple had picked him up.  Cheryl inquired about the puppy's safety and concerned she asked if the puppy was for sale.  The couple wanted 40 dollars…. She actually brought Bentley home for 30.00

While in Sioux falls during Cancer treatment, she was with sister Barb. She dropped something on a floorboard of the car.  They pulled over.  Cheryl looked up, saw a loose dog and commented to Barb…" look at the dog" Barb said "Shut the door". They put the car in drive."

Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, Sister Donna Cawthorne, LeOra Nelson, Brothers Rick and Merrill Pederson.

She is survived by Twin Sister, Cheree, Sister Glennies Smith, sisters Debra, (Jack) Jensen Barb Inman Pete (Vicki) Smith, Shelly Smith.  Grandnephews LJ Inman and Davis Smith and Grandniece Cydni Smith as well many cousins and special friends.