MADISON - Sharon “Sherry” Chesnik passed away on March 31, 2025, in Madison, Wis., at the age of 88. She was surrounded by her family.

Born April 16, 1936, to Lou and John Huff, Sherry spent her childhood in Milwaukee, Wis. She was very close with her adoptive father, John Rau, whom Lou married when Sherry was 4 years old. At age 15, Sherry met Earl “Bud” Chesnik at the Riverside ice skating rink on the city’s east side. They instantly fell in love and married two years later, on September 12, 1953. Sherry and Bud built their first house on an acre of land next to Bud’s parents. They were together for 67 years.

Sherry attended Northern State College in Aberdeen, S.D. -where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1982. Using her academic background, Sherry worked as a psychologist for several years in Pennsylvania. Additionally, she worked as a consultant for the Harrisburg Police Department, offering support to victims of domestic violence.

Sherry and Bud grew their family with the birth of their daughter, Carrie (born 1957), and their son, Kevin (born 1959). Eager to move out west (and eventually settle in Alaska), Sherry and her family first moved to Redfield, S.D., in the summer of 1961. They decided to stay and raise their family in Redfield. Sherry thoroughly enjoyed her family traditions in South Dakota. She would take her son pheasant hunting in the backwoods of Redfield. Kevin fondly remembers when he shot his first pheasant on a hunting trip with his mom. Every August, Sherry would also take Kevin and Carrie on a special trip to the big city of Aberdeen to buy new clothes and books for the school year.

While in South Dakota, Sherry also nurtured her activist spirit. She believed strongly in civic engagement and joined multiple community service organizations, including the Lionesses (a branch of the Lion’s Club) and the Jayceettes (where she served as President). Sherry was active in the Democratic Party of South Dakota and a passionate supporter of women’s rights.

Aside from her community engagement, Sherry loved a good road trip. She seized every opportunity to pack a suitcase and hit the road in route to some of her favorite destinations, such as Rapid City or the Black Hills. After Bud sold his businesses and began working as a consultant contractor in the 1980s, Sherry joined him on numerous trips to states across the country. But one of her most memorable adventures was the time that she and Bud traveled via train through the Canadian Rockies.

In 1995, Sherry and Bud settled down in their final house together-which Bud also built-in Sauk Centre, Minn. Sherry loved that house. Nestled into the countryside on a quiet, five-acre lot, it featured a wraparound porch and was encircled by red oak and birch trees. Sherry became a devoted bird watcher at this house. She kept an enormous bird encyclopedia by the kitchen table, just in case she needed to quickly search the latest bird she caught a glimpse of from her window.

Beyond her love of birds, Sherry admired all animals. She filled her houses with many loveable pets-mostly dogs, with which she shared a fond connection. She especially loved her adorable golden lab, Mack, and her gentle airedale, Big Girl. But we cannot forget her two infamous turtles, Hugs and Kisses. While they sometimes filled the house with a particularly odious smell, her grandchildren thought they were the coolest. So, Sherry would sign every birthday card to her grandkids with “hugs and kisses.”

Sherry was a tribal member of the Oneida Nation. She felt deeply proud of her Native heritage and cared tremendously about the preservation of Indigenous culture and history. After her granddaughter showed her a video clip of the 2021 swearing-in ceremony of Deb Haaland, the first Native American cabinet secretary in United States history, Sherry smiled and whispered, “We’re still here.”

Sherry often attended various Pow Wows across Wisconsin and was an avid reader of the Oneida Nation’s official publication, “Kalihwisaks,” meaning “she looks for news.” She passed on her Native pride to her children, both of whom encouraged Sherry to reclaim her Oneida heritage. Carrie remains heavily connected with several tribal communities and Kevin currently serves as Executive Director of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce Wisconsin.

In her later years, Sherry filled her days pouring through different magazines, books, and newspapers. She loved to read and always sought to stay up to date on current events. Despite spending many years of her adult life outside of Wisconsin, she still remained an enthusiastic Wisconsin sports fan. After Sherry moved back to Wisconsin from Sauk Centre following Bud’s passing in 2020, Kevin would frequently visit her only to find her immersed in a football or basketball game on the television. But without fail, Sherry would always welcome him with her classic greeting: “Hi, sweetie.”

Sherry is survived by her two children, Kevin and Carrie; her daughter-in-law, Connie; her sister-in-law, Marilyn; her brother-in-law, Jerry; her nephew, Ben (Shannon); her grandchildren, Kelly, Hayley, and Valerie (Lee); and her great-grandson, Theodore. Sherry was extremely grateful for the support of the independent living team at the Jefferson, in particular her friendship with Tauni Koch.

If you would like to honor Sherry’s memory, the family kindly asks you consider a donation to The Southern Poverty Law Center at https://www.splcenter.org/support-us/.

We miss you Sherry. We love you. Hugs and kisses.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761

Sharon "Sherry" Chesnik

April 16, 1936 - March 31, 2025

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