Cheri L. Hakanson, age 63, of Dubuque, passed away at 4:24 p.m., on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital.  To honor Cheri’s life, private family services were held.  Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street is assisting the family.

Cheri was born on September 25, 1959, in Mason City, Iowa, daughter of Neil and Charlene (Jackson) Springer.

Cheri was raised in Mason City where she attended high school.  She was united in marriage to Paul R. Hakanson on July 20, 1990, in Canon City, Colorado.  She was a devoted wife, mom and homemaker.  In her free time she enjoyed reading, coloring books and watching TV.  She was a mom to all and loved helping children any chance she could, earning her the nickname “Mama Cheri”.  She was also very proud of her Cherokee Heritage and had a great love of wolves.  Cheri will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Those left to cherish Cheri’s memory include

her children,
Brandon (Tori) Hakanson, Dubuque, IA,
Cody (Megan) Springer, Dubuque, IA,
Andrew Beland, Dubuque, IA
and Allison (William) Martin, Mason City, IA;

her grandchildren,
Elizabeth, Nathanial, Tabitha, Cody Jr., Caleb, Landon and Olivia;

and her siblings,
Vicki Columbo, Mason City, IA,
David Tate, Mason City, IA,
Jeff Tate, Mason City, IA
and Laura Tate, Jacksonville, FL.

Cheri was preceded in death by her parents; and 2 sisters, Sharon Hull and Christine Tate.

Cheri’s family would like to thank her friends and family, her nurses Greg and Cara at Finley and Chaplain Matthew for all of their care, kindness and compassion.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com