Cheryl A. Johnson, 71, of Albert Lea passed away peacefully Saturday, April 22, 2017, surrounded by her loving family.

Cheryl “Sherry” was born on Aug. 17, 1945, to Melvin and Charlotte (Barsness) Johnson in Selma, Alabama. On June 14, 1963, she graduated from Suitland High School in Suitland, Maryland, and graduated from Bemidji State College in Bemidji with a bachelor’s degree in art in June 1970.  Cheryl’s love of the arts led her to a job with the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.

On March 30, 1970, Cheryl was married to Michael “Mike” Spurr at St. Olaf Catholic Church in Minneapolis. To this union, three children were born. The couple divorced in July 1983.

She was a devout faithful member of St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea and went to church every weekend. She was most insistent in getting all her children into college. No matter what the financial hardships she had in life, she loved and supported her children and grandchildren.

Cheryl enjoyed dancing in her younger years. She loved art, photography, listening to James Brown, B.B. King and some contemporary pop music like “Uptown Funk” and music from Lady Gaga. She also had volunteered her time as a fitness trainer at the YMCA in Albert Lea. Cheryl will be missed by all who knew her.

Cheryl is survived by her loving children: daughter, Crystal (Jon) Gill, of Dell Rapids, South Dakota; son Nicholas “Nick” (Naima) Spurr of The Woodlands, Texas; and daughter, Susannah Spurr, of Albert Lea. She’s also survived by four grandchildren, Aaron and Olivia Gill, of Dell Rapids and Noah and Neal Spurr of the Woodlands; sister, Sandra “Sandy” (Richard) Parady of Palmdale, California; aunt, Wanda Johnson, of Montana; and many wonderful relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her ex-husband, Mike Spurr.

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Theodore Catholic Cemetery in Albert Lea. Anyone wishing to attend the burial is welcome. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.