It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Cheryl Melver (Petsch), a beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, who died on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, of pancreatic cancer. Born on June 23, 1946, in Preston, Minnesota, Cheryl built a life full of family, faith and friends.
Cheryl was born to Harlow and Donna (Riehl) Ibach in Preston, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Preston and became a member of the United Methodist Church when the two merged. She grew up on a farm at Isinours along the train track and talked about getting short rides in the caboose down to the old turn table and then back to her house. After graduating from Preston High School in 1964 she began working as a telephone operator in Preston. She married the love of her life, Richard Melver, on January 21, 1966. Together they had one son, Scott. Shortly after Scott was born she flew to Viernheim, Germany, to live while Richard completed his military service there. They returned to Preston and built their life there. Richard passed away December 21, 1987. Cheryl worked at the Branding Iron Restaurant from the early ‘70s until her retirement in 2018. Cheryl enjoyed many fishing trips to northern Minnesota and Ontario, and trips to Bronson and Las Vegas. Cheryl became a grandmother to Timothy Melver and Kate Melver, both of Preston. She was affectionately known as Nanny by them and also by her two great-grandchildren, Kylie and Blake Melver. Cheryl’s family were her pride and joy and she enjoyed spending time with them. She later married Richard “Dick” Petsch; he died December 16, 2022. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s sports and other activities and rarely missed anything. After her retirement, Cheryl and her mother looked forward to bus trips to the casinos, Thursday night bingo at the B&B Bowling alley, annual ham and turkey bingo at the Preston Servicemen’s club, eating out daily with her many friends and family, watching game shows, and listening to Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn. In her later years Cheryl also enjoyed helping roll meatballs in preparation for the annual codfish supper and also helped with the Lift program at the Methodist Church.
Cheryl is survived and will be greatly missed by her son Scott (Paula) Melver, her grandchildren along with their spouses, her two great-grandchildren, and many special friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents and both of her husbands.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the United Methodist Church in Preston, Minnesota, and a public visitation held from 9:30–11 a.m. prior to the funeral. Burial will take place at Crown Hill Cemetery immediately after her service.
Memorials can be made to the Preston United Methodist Church or Preston Ambulance.
Cheryl’s family would like to thank Pastor Mark Woodward, Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home, B&B Bowl and her many friends that provided her with support.
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