Cheri T. Wagner, age 77, of Dubuque, Iowa,  passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at home surrounded by her loving family.  To celebrate Cheri’s life, family and friends may visit from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, where there will be a parish scripture service held at 3:30 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at St. Patrick’s Church, 1425 Iowa Street, with Rev. Dennis Quint officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Cheri Therese Wagner was born on October 8, 1949, to Daniel and June (Kemler) Ludowitz. She attended Wahlert High School, graduating in 1967.

In 1968, Cheri married the love of her life, Jim Wagner. Together, they built a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and family. After sharing more than 56 years of marriage, Cheri said goodbye to Jim on January 26, 2025. Life was never quite the same for her after his passing. She missed him deeply, each and every day. There is comfort in knowing that two hearts that spent a lifetime together can now be at peace.

Cheri spent many years working at Premier Drycleaners, where she formed countless friendships and touched the lives of so many people. She had a gift for conversation and could make a friend just about anywhere. Among her most treasured friendships were those with Sandy Zirkelbach and Jackie Fullbright, and Monica Barker who she lost in 2017. Her dear friends of more than 70 years. Their friendship was a beautiful reminder that some bonds truly last a lifetime.

Cheri loved to travel and was fortunate to see so many beautiful places throughout her life. Some of her fondest memories were made during her beloved “sister weekends,” filled with laughter, adventures, and memories that will forever be cherished. She also enjoyed many wonderful trips with her sister Dianne and brother-in-law Lyle Harris. Those adventures gave her stories to tell and memories she treasured.

While Cheri enjoyed seeing the world, she was equally happy in the comfort of her own home. She loved visiting with family and friends, sharing stories, and talking with anyone willing to listen. She found joy in life’s simple pleasures, especially watching the birds gather at the feeder outside her window.

And then there was Scrabble.

Cheri loved a good game of Scrabble with her daughters and grandchildren. She was competitive, determined, and absolutely hated to lose! Those games, filled with laughter, friendly arguments, and a little bit of stubbornness, will forever be treasured by the people lucky enough to have played against her.

But above everything else, Cheri’s greatest accomplishment, her biggest source of pride, and the center of her entire world was her family.

She was incredibly proud of her two daughters, Tammy and Crystal. She watched them grow into strong, loving women who built beautiful families and lives of their own. They were not only her daughters but also her caregivers, her companions, and her friends. The love they shared with their mother was something truly special.

And if there was one thing Cheri loved more than anything, it was being a grandma.

Her grandchildren, McKenzie, William, and Cali, were her absolute pride and joy. She had the incredible blessing of watching them grow from little babies into amazing young adults. She celebrated their accomplishments, worried about their struggles, and loved them with every ounce of her heart. Nothing made Cheri happier than seeing the beautiful family she had helped create.

Cheri didn’t need grand gestures or extravagant things to feel fulfilled. She needed her family close, someone to talk to, a good game of Scrabble, and perhaps a few birds outside her window. Those were the things that made her happiest.

Cheri’s family includes her beloved daughters, Tammy (Terry) Maas and Crystal (Jeremy) Campbell; her cherished grandchildren, McKenzie Maas (fiancé Logan), William Maas (girlfriend Libby), and Cali Bockenstedt (boyfriend Aden); and her siblings, Dianne (Lyle) Harris, Kathy (Richard) Schuster, Roxy Pickle, Peter Ludowitz, Danny (Laura) Ludowitz, and Randy (Rose) Ludowitz. Her in-laws Judy (Bill) Burbach, Phyllis (Terry Tigges) Murphy, Tom (Ami) Wagner, and Norb (Connie) Wagner.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jim Wagner, and her parents, Daniel and June Ludowitz, her brother-in-law Dennis Pickel, and her Sister-in-law Sherry Ludowitz, her brother-in-law Tom Murphy, her sister-in-law Nancy Wagner, a nephew Jerrod Wagner, and her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Marie and Lloyd Wagner.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Hospice of Dubuque, especially Amy, Dianne, Jessie, and Mike, for their kindness, compassion, and care during Cheri’s final days.

A very special thank you goes to her sister-in-law, Rose, whose unwavering love, tenderness, and compassion brought so much comfort to Cheri and her family during the most difficult of days. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, Cheri’s family asks that you honor her memory in a simple but meaningful way.

Buy a little birdseed. Fill a bird feeder. Sit quietly for a moment and watch the birds gather.

Cheri found so much happiness watching the birds outside her window, and her family hopes that others will find that same sense of peace.

And when you see a little bird stop by, smile and think of Cheri.

Because sometimes the most beautiful reminders of the people we love come on the smallest of wings.

Cheri’s greatest legacy isn’t measured in the years she lived, but in the love she gave, the family she raised, the friendships she treasured, and the countless memories she leaves behind.

She was deeply loved, and she will be forever missed

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