Cheryl C Gangnon

Cheryl Gangnon

Cheryl Christine Gangnon, 77, of Monticello, MN, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at home on March 8, 2025. Cheryl was born on March 14, 1947, to Vernon and Carol (Chillquist) Larson in Brainerd, MN. She was the oldest of the nine Larson children. She was a graduate of Washington High School in Brainerd (Class of 1965). After graduation, she moved to Duluth, where she completed beauty school and nurse's aide training. She married her husband Bruce Gangnon on June 28, 1968. She and Bruce have three sons: Ronald (Dori Kalish), Bradley, and Phillip (Angela) Gangnon.

Cheryl worked as a nurse's aide at St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. She later worked for Anesthesia Associates, eventually rising to the role of Office Manager before retiring in 2001. Cheryl was a devoted caregiver, not only to her husband Bruce throughout his final illness and premature death, but also to her sister Heather, her brother Kyle, and all of her children and grandchildren. Nothing was more important to her than family.

In 2005, Cheryl left Duluth and moved to Monticello, MN, to be closer to her beloved grandchildren: Ashley, Tyler, Trevor and Brice. Cheryl spent much of her retirement years traveling with her sons and their extended families. She loved cruises (Alaska, the Mediterranean, the Panama Canal), road trips (both near and far), and group tours. She loved to explore new places. She made new friends, soon to be old friends, wherever she went. Cheryl also adored the musical theatre, spending many joyful evenings seeing musicals, old and new, at theaters across the Twin Cities and Madison. Cheryl's elaborate nails and hairdo were her trademarks. No one who ever met her failed to compliment her on both.. No dinner was complete without at least one margarita. She is survived by her three sons, Ron Gangnon (Dori Kalish), Brad Gangnon, and Phillip (Angela) Gangnon; her grandchildren, Ashley, Tyler, Trevor, and Brice; her sister, Heather Kleinschmidt; and her brothers, Larry, Mark, David, Tim, Chris, and Kyle Larson. She is also survived by her aunt, many cousins, and countless nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bruce in July 1998; her parents; her grandson, Zachary; and her sister, Cindy Hayes.

The family is grateful to the many doctors, nurses, and health aides who cared for Cheryl over the years, especially the urology team at the Mayo Clinic. Their treatment of her kidney cancer and its recurrences over the years enabled us to enjoy so many more years with her. Special thanks to Krystal Marshall and Cody Maas for all they did for her — she loved you both dearly.

Cheryl will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, March 14, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. in Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E Second Street, Duluth, MN.

Memorials preferred to St. Croix Hospice, 7755 3rd St. N, Suite 200, Oakdale, MN 55128.