Cheryl M. Hartley

Cheryl Marie Hartley, 80, passed away June 4, 2026, in Wichita, Kansas. 

Cheryl was born the daughter of Carl and Lola Anderson on October 21, 1945, in Hibbing, MN. Her family moved to Duluth, Minnesota shortly after she was born. She attended Duluth East High School, graduating in 1963. She then attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth, graduating with a Business Education degree in 1967. After graduating, she taught high school business courses for several years at Humboldt High School in St. Paul, Minnesota. 

On July 6, 1968, she married her high school sweetheart, James Hartley, and together they raised two sons, Brett and Scott. Cheryl retired from teaching after the birth of her first son, Brett, and became a fiercely devoted homemaker. The Hartley’s lived in Duluth, Minnesota and Grand Forks, North Dakota before settling in Wichita, Kansas in 1980. 

As her boys and her husband’s medical practice grew, Cheryl soon became a “professional volunteer.” In addition to being a solid foundation for her family, she gave many hours to the PTA and Booster Clubs at her boys’ schools. She became a part time volunteer at the Andover Elementary School library. She also served in many Medical Professionals Wives organizations. She also volunteered as a docent at the Frank Lloyd Wright Allen House in Wichita, Kansas. Cheryl and her husband, Jim, were also involved with the youth groups and young adults in their churches. 

It became known, if you needed something done, call Cheryl! But she was never too busy to make it to her sons’ sporting events and activities, always sitting in the top center row at basketball games so her boys could hear her cheering loudly for them. Cheryl was a devoted grandmother to Cal, Claire, Alicia and Lola. She always made holidays special and attended as many activities and school events as possible. She treasured time with her daughters in law, Lynda and Gwen, as well as Cal’s wife, Kayleigh. She supported everyone’s life in so many ways. 

Cheryl loved to travel with her family, from camping trips in a pop-up Venture camper to more elaborate trips to Maui, Hawaii. She was a master trip planner, and she never missed creating an itinerary with all the details for her family to see. 

After her husband’s retirement, Cheryl & Jim spent time traveling to Frank Lloyd Wright houses all over the country and taking cruises with special friends. Many great memories are shared today within the family, thanks to her efforts to make sure everyone had the best time. 

In the last few years of her life, Cheryl bravely battled frontotemporal dementia. A very private person, she received amazing care from Dr. Robin J. Heinrichs, Larksfield Place Assisted Living, and Brookdale Memory Care. Her family cannot thank her friends and family enough for their respect and caring. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Lola Anderson; her sisters, Velura Highberg and Luella Collicott; her brother, Bill Anderson; and her granddaughters, Claire and Lola Hartley. 

A private family ceremony will be held, with perhaps a joint celebration of life to be determined at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in memory to Alzheimer’s Association and Sedgwick County Zoo.

Share condolences at www.cozine.com. Arrangements by Cozine Memorial Group – Cozine Life Events Center.