Karen Diane Cheever, 69, of Glencoe
Karen Diane Cheever, 69, of Glencoe, formerly of Minneapolis, died Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Zion Lutheran Church in Arlington with the Rev. Deborah Dawson officiating. Roberta Schauer was the organist. Congregational hymns were “Amazing Grace,” “Abide With Me,” “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” “How Great Thou Art” and “America the Beautiful.”
Military honors were by the Arlington Honor Guard. Honorary casket bearers were Justin Weber and in loving memory of RaNaye Weber. Casket bearers were Kevin Raduenz, Debra VonBerge, Evon Bussler, Steven Raduenz, Michael VonBerge and Joshua Weber. Interment was in the Arlington City Cemetery.
Karen Diane Cheever was born Feb. 18, 1948, in Gaylord, the daughter of Arthur and Augusta (Kuhnau) Raduenz. She was baptized as an infant on March 7, 1948, by the Rev. Mueller, and confirmed in her faith as a youth on March 26, 1961, by the Rev. Roesler, both at Zion Lutheran Church in New Auburn Township. She taught Sunday school and vacation Bible school during the summer and attended Arlington-Green Isle Public School, graduating May 25, 1966.
She left her rural home on June 7, 1966, moving to St. Peter, where she began employment at the state hospital as a psychiatric technician.
On June 30, 1973, she was united in marriage to Harvey Cheever by the Rev. Salsness at Zion Lutheran Church in Arlington. They resided together in South Minneapolis until the marriage was dissolved in October 1978. Ms. Cheever remained in Minneapolis until 2015, when she moved to Glencoe to be closer to family due to declining health.
She was a medical assistant working for a general practitioner until June 18, 1978, when she began working at the VA Medical Center. On the same day, she joined the U.S. Army Reserves, and was a member for 16 years. Her company, 329th AG Postal, was activated Dec. 7, 1990, for Desert Storm; morale support loading cargo planes to take to the troops in the Gulf. Through encouragement of a superior nurse manager, Ms. Cheever attended Normandale Community College and received her associate degree in nursing 19 years after her high school graduation. She worked for the VA for a total of 34 years before retiring in December 2012.
She was a member of American Legion Post 435 in Richfield and also the Women Veterans of Minnesota. She enjoyed traveling and country, gospel and old-time music. She was an avid collector, photographer and loved to play cards and dominoes. She enjoyed her timeshares in Brainerd and Cancun. She treasured time spent with family and friends.
She is survived by her siblings, Erma Pagel of Glencoe, Elmer (Marlys) Raduenz of Plato and Dennis (Sandy) Raduenz of Hutchinson; 24 nieces and nephews; numerous greats; other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her prents, Arthur and Augusta Raduenz; infant son, Ricky Lee; siblings, Gladys (and husband Raymond) Bergs, Darwin (and wife Darlene) Raduenz and Darline (and husband Glenn) Hoecke; brothers-in-law, Lawrence Pieschke and Wilfred Nagel; nieces, Deborah Hoecke and RaNaye Weber; and dear friend, Patricia Hogan.
Arrangements were with the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel in Glencoe. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.mcbridechapel.com.
