Meeting Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Stanley Area Historical Society (SAHS), area residents and others took time to remember Cheryl Kern-Simirenko, a driving force behind digitization, among her other contributions.

Starting with a welcome by SAHS president David Jankoski, the Celebration of Life Sept. 24 saw both family remarks and those from the community. Tributes were many, with closing music by Barry Anderson a close friend. With social time following, here’s what some community members had to say about Kern-Simirenko and her contributions to both the Historical Society and other area organizations. Working with Cheryl since 2013 at the Historical Society, Sharon Wundrow shared some memories.

“Cheryl was the Librarian…in action,” she said, “ and I was the Computer Geek…It was always amazing how our individual skill sets fit so well together." Saying that Cheryl always had “a well calculated plan that was thought out over and over again” before being documented, Wundrow’s job was to capture the computer side of things, “some screenshots that we would artfully transfer into the documentation.” Working on several projects together, Wundrow said that, “plotting and planning was constant. It didn’t matter what project we tacked – Cheryl and I worked through each one process after process till we got it right and so it was understandable to our co-workers.” Finding Kern-Simirenko’s knowledge of who was related to who in Stanley extensive as Wundrow herself was a Milwaukee transplant, Sharon also shared the enjoyment that was had from coffee times with Cheryl. “I will never forget our times together,” Wundrow said. “Cheryl shared her life, her skills, her humor and her zest for life with me. I am honored to call her my friend, and miss her soulfully.” Present for the library board was Anne Diers, while board president Cathy Ryba also had memories of serving with Cheryl on the board.

“Cheryl was a force to be reckoned with as soon as you met her,” Ryba said. “I felt a strong connection as soon as I met her…I was the library board president and she was on the building committee and her wealth of knowledge was amazing.” With Jim Erickson telling Ryba to get Cheryl on the board, it was later recalled by Jim Erickson that, “It was like getting Vince Lombardi to say he would coach the Stanley-Boyd Orioles!” Ryba said.

“We have lost a true Stanley legend,” she said. “Cheryl came back to her roots and became involved with projects close to her heart. We will miss her immensely.” Library director Elizabethg Miniatt said that Kern-Simirenko could always be counted on for support.

“As many here would be aware, the library building project was always of special interest to Cheryl,” Miniatt said. “She gave her time, funds, and energy day in and day out to helping re-start and continue the process….Whenever we needed to move the library forward, whether in going fine-free or offering virtual and social-distanced services during COVID I could always count on Cheryl for her support and perspective as a fellow librarian. These were tumultuous years we found ourselves in, but Cheryl’s committment to improving library services never wavered. Cheryl remains one of the smartest and kindest people I have had the honor of knowing. Her intelligence was only matched and complemented by her quick humor and ready smile. Cheryl was a joy to know and a blessing to work with.”