Cheryl Boyer Hansen, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister passed away peacefully on October 21, 2024, following a 14 year battle with Parkinson's disease.

Cheryl was born on Friday, June 13, 1952, to Fred H. and Helen Barnes Boyer of Arco, Idaho. The fourth of six children, she was raised in a home filled with love, gospel discussions, laughter and music. She played the flute in the school band, sang in church and school choirs, and took dance lessons for 12 years. A beautiful dancer, she performed the starring role in the local "Sleeping Beauty Ballet." Cheryl was bright and excelled in academics, graduating 3rd in her class at Butte High School. In spite of her accomplishments, she had a sweet, loving, and kind personality that endeared her to her family and community. Her parents and siblings were a constant support, and she continued to be close to her siblings throughout her life.

Cheryl's life-long love for piano began at a young age. She began lessons at eight years old and excelled in her studies, performing as a soloist and accompanist during her teen years. As a junior in high school, she traveled to take lessons with Jack Bowman at Ricks College, where she performed a piano recital for a large audience. Cheryl's piano accomplishments continued in college and beyond. She loved learning and performing challenging repertoire and was sought after as a skilled accompanist, performing difficult collaborative pieces with university students and others.

While in high school, Cheryl had the opportunity to accompany a handsome violinist by the name of Richard Hansen who had just moved to Arco. They enjoyed making music together and became close friends. After his mission to England, they dated at Ricks College where they both studied music. Rick and Cheryl were married on April 26, 1973, in the Salt Lake City Temple. Both graduated from BYU with degrees in Music Education.

Cheryl loved being a mother and cherished it as her most important role. Tragically, Rick and Cheryl lost their first two children as infants: Daren was born in 1974 in Provo, UT and lived three days; Matthew was stillborn after they moved to Rexburg in 1975. Six more children were born to Rick and Cheryl: Dallin, Richelle, Doug, Brad, Bryant and Rebecca. A dedicated mother, Cheryl truly gave her life to her family. She taught each of her children to play the piano and faithfully helped them practice and excel on stringed instruments. She encouraged her children to appreciate, enjoy and perform great music. All of her children continue to perform regularly and two of them have made music their career. She was a devoted grandmother to 23 grandchildren, always ready to play, create dress-up costumes, and share her love for reading and music. Her grandchildren will remember her home as a place that echoed with love and laughter, leaving behind cherished memories of her nurturing spirit.

Rick and Cheryl settled in Rexburg after Rick accepted the position as orchestra teacher for the Madison School District in 1975. Their first home was completed in the Spring of 1976, but was destroyed in the Teton Dam disaster. As soon as they were able, they built their current home on the Rexburg hill where they raised all of their living children, and where Cheryl taught her treasured piano students.

Cheryl instilled the love of music in hundreds of young people, having taught piano for over 40 years. Many of her piano students won prestigious competitions and excelled in music careers of their own. In addition to her own piano studio, she taught group piano classes, music theory, and ear-training at BYU-Idaho for 25 years. Cheryl was also a prolific composer and arranger. Among other original songs, she wrote a special song for each of the Latter-day prophets from Joseph Smith to Russell M. Nelson. She wrote Primary songs, hymns, and other music for family and friends for special occasions.

Cheryl developed a deep testimony as a young girl and was a life-long dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ. A faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served in Primary and Young Women presidencies, as a Primary chorister, a Cub Scout Den leader and served as a volunteer in the Rexburg Temple office for 2 years.

Cheryl was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2010. Despite the devastating diagnosis, she remained positive and patient throughout the ensuing years, never complaining about the difficulties of her illness. Her final months were spent in the Homestead in Rexburg. The family would like to offer sincere gratitude to the dedicated staff, nurses, and caregivers at the Homestead Memory Care Unit for their professional and compassionate care.

Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, her two infant sons, Daren Richard and Matthew Vern Hansen, son-in-law, Craig Leavitt, brother-in-law, Evan Ivie, and nephew, Jonathan Boyer. She is survived by her husband, Richard Hansen, of Rexburg, ID. Her children – Dallin (Leslie) Hansen of Rexburg, ID; Richelle (Bryce) Fawcett of Gilbert, AZ; Douglas (Jessica) Hansen of Rexburg, ID; Bradley (Traci) Hansen of Ammon, ID;  Bryant (Rachel) Hansen of Rexburg, ID; Rebecca (Jason) Fredrick of Kaysville, UT, and 23 adoring grandchildren. Her siblings – Joyce (Bill) Bradford of Smithfield, UT; Wayne (Sue) Boyer of Highland, UT; Lyle (Alison) Boyer of Arco, ID; Lynette (Todd) Williams of Firth, ID; Ryan (Allison) Boyer of Firth, ID.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 28, at the Rexburg East Stake Center (387 S 4th E, Rexburg, ID).  The family will receive friends on Sunday from 5:30 unto 7:00 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home (61 North 1st East Rexburg) and again Monday from 10:00 - 10:45 am at the Rexburg East Stake Center. Interment at the Rexburg City Cemetery.

Services may be viewed at: https://my.gather.app/remember/cheryl-hansen-2024