Cheri Lynn Buysse passed away Friday, February 2nd at the family farm. She was 57 years old.
Cheri was born August 22, 1960, the fourth child, to Wes and Margaret Kirk (Gustaf) in Slayton. She was baptized and confirmed at United Methodist Church in Balaton. She later converted to Catholicism. She was married at Saint Mary’s Chapel in Marshall.
She graduated from Balaton Senior High School in 1978 and then went to Mankato State University to pursue a degree in Education. She later received her Master’s degree in Science from Bemidji State University.
She taught for 35+ years and continuously tried to improve her method of teaching to advance student learning. She started out teaching physical education in Lake Crystal for grades K-6, then she taught at Holy Redeemer in Marshall for 14 years, and for the past 20 years she has been teaching health, physical education, and science at the Marshall Middle School. She continued to take courses to improve her learning background.
Education was her passion. She enjoyed working with all kids. She would constantly care for her students like they were her own. She continuously integrated new technology into the classroom to help her students learn. She loved talking about the accomplishments of her students and would go to different school activities to show them how much she supported them. She always did what was best for her students.
On June 18, 1983 she married the love of her life, Chuck Buysse. They cared, loved, and respected each other profoundly. Working side by side, helping and caring for each other, and always giving it their very best together to try to overcome any obstacle that they had to endure. Cheri and Chuck had two children, Amber and Jared.
Her interests and hobbies included family vacations, sitting on her deck and porch, working outside, horses, and going to sporting events. Cheri loved going horseback riding through various State and County Parks. She was an avid sports fan, who would attend different sporting events around the Marshall area cheering on her children, nieces, and nephews. Spending time with her family and especially her new granddaughter, Avery, brought her the most joy, smiles, laughter, and happiness.
Cheri is survived by her daughter Amber (and Trent) Altheide of Marshall, her son Jared (and Kasi) of Waconia, and granddaughter, Avery Altheide. Siblings, John (and Angie) Kirk of Spring TX, Cindy Kirk (and Jerry) of Garvin, Teresa (and Chuck) Swanson of Balaton, David Kirk of Balaton, Jeff (and Brenda) Kirk of Tyler, mother, Margaret Kirk of Garvin, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Chuck, her dad Wes, and several aunts and uncles.
Her energetic personality, storytelling, and love will be greatly missed by all of us.
Blessed be her memory.
