Cheryl Peschel

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.