Her journey is now complete.  Cheryl Rahm-McGrath, age 73, unexpectedly passed away from natural causes on March 1, 2024.

   Cheryl Rose Rahm was born on May 14, 1950, in Aberdeen, SD, the most special Mother’s Day gift to her parents, Albert and Elaine (Remily) Rahm. The oldest of five children, Cheryl attended country school early in life, then Turton Public School, and graduated from Doland High School in 1968.

   Education was tremendously important to Cheryl. After graduating in 1971 with a Nursing degree from St. John’s in Huron, SD, she served in the Army Nurse Corp until her honorary discharge as a First Lieutenant in 1973. She worked as a nurse in several cities across the U.S., eventually placing roots in Sioux Falls, SD in 1978. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Nursing. She received several prestigious certifications and awards during her years as a practicing clinician, educator, and consultant. She was rightfully proud but also humble, rarely talking about her accomplishments and accolades.

   In 1992, she achieved her dream of owning a business by pioneering legal nurse consulting in South Dakota, as CEO and owner of Medical-Legal Analysis, Inc. She was privileged to provide medical and legal assistance to those with debilitating diseases and injuries. She took her job very seriously and held herself and others to high standards that could be intimidating to some but came purely from her desire to give people the best care and comfort at their most vulnerable times. This was one of her most admirable traits.

   She sought knowledge throughout her life, eventually amassing a collection of books to rival some small libraries. She was a voracious student of medicine, current events, politics and yes, even NFL football. She had trouble deciding on a favorite team because of her respect for so many different players, but she sure did love watching and talking about the games.

   Family also was important to Cheryl.  She is survived by her daughter, Deidre (Chris) Rehfeld, of Woodbury, MN, and two very special grandsons, Tristan and Payton Rehfeld, whom she cherished above all. Her love as a grandmother knew no limit. She is also survived by her four younger siblings: Curtis (Patty) Rahm of Turton, SD; Carleen (Bruce) Dixon of Brookings, SD; Carmen (Linda) Rahm of Kent, WA; her youngest brother, Chris Rahm of Aberdeen, SD, with whom she shared an extraordinary lifelong bond; and 14 nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren. She is preceded in death by both her parents.

   Finally, one cannot properly honor Cheryl’s life without mentioning her deep love for animals, especially dogs. She adopted and raised many of her “four-legged toddlers” throughout her life. No doubt there were many wagging tails in heaven, as each of those precious pets – truly an extension of her family - greeted her when she arrived.

   A visitation will be held on March 8 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and funeral service at 7:00 p.m. at Hyke Funeral Home, 101 E. 7^th Ave., Redfield, SD. A burial with military honors will be held on March 9 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Turton, SD. Chaplain John Miles will officiate. By her wishes, there is no funeral mass. The funeral service will be live-streamed on the funeral home’s website below Cheryl’s obituary (www.hykefuneralhome.com).

   Donations may be made in Cheryl’s honor to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org), Shriner’s Healthcare for Children (www.shrinerschildrens.org), or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (www.ASPCA.com).