Cheryll Louise McDowall Obituary (1945

Cheryll Louise McDowall, 67, of Bismarck, North Dakota, passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at St. Gabriel's Community. Chery was born June 2, 1945, in Bismarck, North Dakota, the daughter of William and Bernice (Bliss) McDowall. She was raised on the family farm and attended grade school in McKenzie, North Dakota. In 1961, the family moved to Bismarck. She graduated from BHS in 1963 and was active in Honor Society, Concert Choir, Debate Team, Hi-Herald Staff, Orchestra and Rotary Guest. She attended the University of North Dakota before embarking on a bus adventure around the United States. Chery met R. Carleton Dickinson while working on the Arizona Navajo reservation with Volunteers in Service to America. The couple wed in July of 1967 and moved to Northern California. They had two sons, Joel and Sean, who where the lights of her life. Chery returned to school and graduated with a B.A. from Sonoma State University. Her sense of community service remained perpetual throughout her life. While working with Community Action of North Dakota, she met Donald Becker and they married in 1980. After moving their family to Hawaii, she worked for March of Dimes. In 1987 she vigilantly fought and won a battle with breast cancer. Her dedication to public service continued with the North Dakota Migrant Council, Green Thumb and AARP. Cheryll loved to walk the prairie harvesting crocuses and watching the waterfowl at Long Lake in Sterling or on her mother's farm in McKenzie. She enjoyed gardening, yoga, traveling, and vegan cooking. She was a gifted and prolific photographer. Spending time with her sons and grandsons was a great source of happiness in her life. She was dearly loved and survived by sons, Joel (Bridget) Phoenix, AZ; Sean (Angie) Fargo, ND; grandsons, Benjamin, Jack, Matthew, Samuel and Isaac; stepmother Susan Hauser, Puposky, MN; aunt and uncle Margaret and Douglas McDowall and stepbrother Andrew (Debbie) Jacobsen. Sisters, Kathleen (Scott) Blanc, Bemidji, MN; Barbara (Myron) Wagner, Neenah, WI and many dear cousins and friends. Chery was preceded in death by her father, Bill; mother, Bernice; uncle Robert; aunt Miriam (Hank) Bibeau and uncle, Roger (Margaret) Bliss. Her family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dave and Joyce Baker for the compassionate care given to our Mom. We would also like to thank Sister Mariah and the staff at St. Gabriel's Community for their pastoral support and kindness. NOTICE: Cheryll\u0027s family would like to invite friends to attend her graveside service to be held at the McKenzie cemetery on May 25, 2013 at 11a.m. There will be a celebration of life following the service at the Hiesler farm located at 6019 223rd St, N.E., McKenzie, N.D. from noon to 4 p.m. Potluck dishes welcome.