Cheryl Rae Bakker

Cheryl Rae Bakker, 76, of Austin, passed away on Monday, March 24, 2025, at Our Lady of Peace Hospice in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with her son Father Neil Bakker at her side praying. A loving mother, Cheryl cared deeply for her family.

Born on September 16, 1948, to Margaret and Wilbur Riemann, she was the second of four children. She grew up in Austin alongside her older sister, Sandy, and younger brothers, Thomas (Tom) and Stuart (Stu). Coming from a humble household, she was immensely creative in finding ways to make fun out of any situation. She had many fond memories growing up in the Riemann household. As a family they would often pack up and go on fishing and picnic excursions to the Mississippi River. 

Cheryl and Gary Bakker were married on April 26, 1969. Together, they raised two children, Brian and Neil, before their separation in 1997. Cheryl was a devoted and loving mother who spent many years working and making a home for her family. She began her career at Hormel Foods Corporation in 1971 in the corporate office annex as a secretary. She excelled at her job and over the course of a 40+ year career, she had many generous and kind bosses. They all loved having Cheryl as their assistant because of her positive attitude, hard work ethic, and attention to detail. She could always make a gloomy day a little brighter. 

After retirement from Hormel, Cheryl traveled with her son, Neil, to Italy, spending a week traversing the streets of Rome and the hills of Assisi. A number of years later she found herself back across the Atlantic in Ghana, Africa on a mission trip and in London, England on vacation, the place she most wanted to visit her whole life. Her greatest thrill in London was visiting 221B Baker Street, the home of the infamous Sherlock Holmes. She was a ferocious reader of mystery novels, so to be in the place of Sherlock Holmes sparked her imagination. Visiting the Tower of London and seeing the Crown Jewels took a close second. Another fond memory of that trip was seeing Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theater on the West End of London. 

In retirement Cheryl took up a part-time job, which turned full-time at the Mayo Clinic. After 10 years of working at Mayo Clinic at the Emergency Room Registration desk, she retired a final time in 2023. She had a lot of fun with her coworkers and was a kind voice at the switchboard. Cheryl loved her animals: Lilly, her white lab, and Kovu, her cat. She had many favorite recipes that were staples at holidays and celebrations. She loved the magic of Christmastime and always made sure it was extra special for her family. 

Cheryl is survived by her sons, Brian and Reverend Father Neil Bakker; grandchildren, Autum and Thea; great-grandchildren, Vada, Sage, Raenella and Reid; her siblings, Sandy (Dick) Kos, Tom (Sue) Riemann, Stu (Brenda) Riemann; and other loving nieces and nephews. Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, Wilbur and Margaret (Chapman) Riemann; and grandparents, Dexter and Ada (Bloxham) Riemann, and John and Lola (Prouty) Chapman. 

Mom will be dearly missed by so many. She will be remembered as a selfless, giving person who always put other people before herself.

A Roman Catholic Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, March 28, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Augustine’s Catholic Church in Austin, MN, with Reverend Father Neil Bakker (her son) presiding. A visitation will take place one hour before Mass from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m at the Church. Cheryl will be laid to rest at Grandview Cemetery following the Mass. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes are assisting the family with arrangements.