Obituaries : Cheryl Ann Wensel

Cheryl Ann Wensel, 70, of Urbana, Iowa, passed away Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the Oldorf Hospice House, with her husband, Rick, by her side, following a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at Murdoch Funeral Home in Center Point, Iowa, where the family will greet friends beginning at 9:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Urbana Memorial Cemetery.

Cheryl was born on August 9, 1955, the daughter of Duane and Betty Novak. She married Steven Chamberlain in 1972, and together they had two daughters, Stacey and Tammy. The couple later divorced. Cheryl married Rick Wensel in 1996, welcoming four additional daughters into the family.

Cheryl is survived by her loving husband, Rick Wensel; daughters, Stacey Chamberlain-Farmer, Tammy (Dennis) Karr, Angela Wensel, Amanda (Bo) Deaton, Amy (Rich) Rilling and Ashley Wensel; grandchildren, Tyler (Marissa) Weems, Emily (Matthew) Grasso, Austyn, Maddie, Virginia and Jesse Farmer, Matthew, Cameron and Haylee Karr, Jacob and Logan Wensel, Lilly Shelton, Sira and Devon Deaton, Jordan, Audriana, Cole, Joseph and Amelia Rilling; great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Patriot and Lillie Weems, Claira Hartman, Sadie Killian, Brylan, Zaiden, Dakota and Nevaeh Wensel, Kinsley Snook and Grace King; sisters, Deb (George) Smith, Lynn (Lyle) Ries, Annette (Ray) Sauer, Denise (Doug) Lehman, Carolyn (Doug) Wright and Dawn (Bill) Phillips; and brothers, David Newton, Wayne (Susie) Novak, Andrew (Tiffany) Newton and Kelly (Lisa) Newton.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Duane and Dolores Novak and Lewis and Betty Merritt; brothers, James Newton and Michael Newton; and grandsons, Alexander Chamberlain and Lucas Farmer.

In her younger years, Cheryl enjoyed crocheting, crafting and spending time with family and friends. She had a lifelong soft spot for animals in need, once even bringing a litter of raccoons into her home after they lost their mother. Cheryl adored her dogs and farm cats and raised many chihuahuas over the years.

Cheryl worked at Iowa Ham Processors in Vinton from 1983 until its closure in 1989. After completing her certification at Kirkwood, she began working at ADM Corn Sweeteners, where she spent the remainder of her career.

Memorials may be directed to the family. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Oldorf Hospice House for their compassionate care during this difficult time.