Anchorage Daily News; Anchorage AK

(Published: February 15, 2003)

CHERYL DEVRIES, 58;

Longtime Alaskan CHERYL DEVRIES, 58, died Feb. 12, 2003, of cancer at
her Eagle River home.  A funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at United
Protestant Presbyterian Church in Palmer.  Mrs. DeVries was born Oct. 27,
1944, in Palmer, the daughter of Jack and Fern Leek. She grew up there,
attending the schools and later graduating from Palmer High School
in 1962. She married her high school sweetheart, David DeVries, on
June 1, 1962, in The Church of God. In July 1962, they moved to Los
Angeles, where her husband attended school. Less than two years later
they returned to Eagle River, where she remained to live and raise
her family.  Mrs. DeVries worked a few smaller jobs before taking a
position in 1966 for the federal government as secretary. She worked her
way up to contracting officer and, after 33 years of service, retired
in November 2001. She was a part of the Anchorage Motor Mushers, many
charity events and often volunteered her time.  She enjoyed traveling far
and near, hitting every nook and cranny in between, outdoor adventures
of many kinds, arts and crafts, a good laugh, the theater, but most
of all spending time with her family. She also enjoyed gardening,
collecting angels and snowmachining.  Her family wrote, "Cheryl was a
beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She
will be greatly missed."  Survivors include her husband, David DeVries;
daughters, Barbara Morin of Palmer, Jennie Wyatt of Idaho Falls, Idaho;
brother, Michael Leek of Birmingham, Ala.; sister, Jackie Leek of Palmer;
sister-in-law, Mary Leek; sons-in-law, Rocky Morin of Palmer, Wade Wyatt
of Idaho Falls; grandchildren, Rachel, Tony, Nicole, Christian and Ty;
great-grandson, Hayden; mother-in-law, Jessie DeVries of Palmer; brothers-
and sisters-in-law, Marie Keen and Roy Keen of Palmer; Andy DeVries and
Dawn DeVries of Oregon, John DeVries and Marilyn DeVries of Anchorage;
and many aunts, uncles and cousins.  Her parents preceded her in death.
Arrangements were made with Evergreen's Eagle River Funeral Home