Cheryl Peschel

January 14, 1944 - May 09, 2026

Obituary

Cheryl Ann (Rademacher) Peschel
January 14, 1944 – May 9, 2026
Cheryl Ann Rademacher Peschel, born January 14, 1944, in Madison, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2026 at the age of 82, surrounded by the love of her family.
The oldest child of Walter Rademacher and Helen Fairfull, Cheryl grew up in Waterloo, Wisconsin, where she graduated in 1961 as Valedictorian from Waterloo High School. She married Daniel E. Peschel on June 27, 1964, and together they raised five children. Though they later divorced in 2006, family always remained at the center of Cheryl’s life.
Cheryl had a deep love of learning and an unwavering belief in education. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1965 with a degree in Home Economics. Later in life, while raising her family, she earned her teaching certificate in 1980 and completed her Master of Science in Education in 1988. In 1972 Cheryl opened the first pre-school in Wisconsin. She taught kindergarten in Potosi, Wisconsin, from 1981 until her retirement in 1999. She treasured her students and found great joy in helping children learn, grow, and feel loved.
In retirement, Cheryl was a voracious reader, enjoyed traveling, practicing Tai Chi, gardening, and especially spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her life-long passion was genealogy, and she achieved her ultimate dream by publishing From Peat to Coal, her family history going back to1575.
She is survived by her children: Lisa Peschel, Brenda Fairfull, Vicki (Kevin) Kalnins, Brian (Brenda) Peschel, and Kirk (Shelley) Peschel. She is also survived by her brothers, Kent (Parvin) Rademacher and Keith (Barb) Rademacher; her sisters Denise (Tom) Casey, Debra Heimerl, and Carita (Tom) Twinem; nine grandchildren; and a plethora of great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sister, Kim (David) Kurkowski.
A private memorial service will be held for family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the UW Health Carbone Cancer Center.

Events

There are no events for Cheryl yet.

Photos

Add photos
of Cheryl

No photos of Cheryl have been shared yet.

Memories

Add a memory of
Cheryl

Evie Johnston

Friend • 3 months ago

Cheri was an amazing person and my college roommate and lifelong friend. We shared so many adventures in those early days, and I was maid of honor at her wedding. We called each other on or around our birthdays for many years and shared stories from our shared interest in Genealogy. Rest in peace my dear friend.

Martha Zimmerman

Family • 3 months ago

Cheryl and I shared our interest in genealogy and she came to visit in central IL once. We kept up quite a correspondence, but have not communicated for several years. My sympathy to her family -- she was an amazing lady!!

Mike Lyons

Friend • 4 months ago

Mrs. Peschel was my kindergarten teacher, and she always stuck with me as one of the nicest, most genuine people ever. She is what teachers aspire to be. Wonderfully kind, always curious, and always great with the kids.

Elizabeth Dalsing

Friend • 5 months ago

I spent the first ten years of my 26 year career as a teaching assistant with Cheri. She taught me so much on a daily basis and became a true friend. I am so happy Cheri will suffer no more. I will always remember you.

Pat Leonad

Coworker • 5 months ago

I taught with Chryl at Potosi for many years, with her kindergarten children coming to me for first grade. Cheri gave every child her care, a rich background, the wisdom to evaluate choices, learning to differentiate right from wrong. She was intelligent, an interesting friend and associate, one who lived to put good into the world. May sympathy and prayers ease your sorrow but, even more, may the blessing of having had her as part of your life fill your hearts.livesers