Cheryl (Dunlap) Sjolin

Cheryl (Dunlap) Sjolin, 75, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Lyon Specialty Care in Rock Rapids, Iowa.

Cheryl Ruth Akes was born in Leon, Iowa, on December 31, 1947, the daughter of Emmett Dean and Lila Gertrude (Heaton) Akes.  Cheryl attended LeRoy Elementary School and graduated from Central Decatur High School in Leon with the Class of 1966.  Following graduation, she enrolled in classes at Iowa Western Community College and later graduated from Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa with her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.  She loved children and taught 2^nd grade and 3^rd grade in Atlantic for 36 years.

Cheryl was married to Glen H. Dunlap for nearly 25 years until his passing and she was the step-mother to David W. Dunlap, who married, Brigit and had two children, Christopher and David Dunlap, Jr.

On May 2, 2008, Cheryl married Jeffery Ernest Sjolin in Des Moines at the Freedom Church where he served as Chairman, Pastor, and Assistant Pastor.

She enjoyed playing the clarinet and piano and was a loving caretaker to her cats and dogs.  Cheryl was generous and was not only a dedicated and loving wife to Glen and later Jeffrey, but she also devoted her life to serving the Lord, always being active in her church. While in Atlantic she held a bible study group at the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center becoming known to the residents as the “Promise Keeper Lady.” She also served as a Chaplain in various ladies’ jail ministries and was an ordained pastor, with her husband as co-pastor at “Our Father’s House.”  

She is survived by her brother, Verle (Arlene) Akes of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; nephew, David (Kaylene) Akes and children of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; niece, Jennifer Akes of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; aunts, Marion Akes and Virginia Akes of Osceola, Iowa; and other friends and relatives.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Dean and Lila Akes; husbands, Glen Dunlap and Jeffrey Sjolin; step-son, David; and her beloved dog, Levi and cat, Asshur.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic. Visitation with the family present will begin at 10:00 a.m. the day of the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Leon Cemetery in Leon, Iowa.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Cheryl's family and her arrangements.  Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.