Cheryl Teresa Nolan

Cheryl Nolan, 75, left this world on April 16, 2025.

She was born on May 6, 1949 to Ed and Virginia (Kaisor) Wheeler in Des Moines, Iowa. She grew up with her four siblings and loved to take her younger sisters on adventures around town and continued to be a “second mom” to them her whole life. After graduating high school, Cheryl enrolled at Methodist Nurse’s College where she became a Registered Nurse. Cheryl loved being a nurse for 50 years. First helping children in pediatrics, then helping people living their lives to the fullest through dialysis. Through a family member, she met her husband, John, and they had four children.

One of Cheryl’s loves was the Iowa State Fair. When she was 14, she worked at the fair, and all her life she made it a point to go on the very first day every year. She also enjoyed going Black Friday shopping. She is remembered for her detailed lists of when each store opened and what items she would get there.

Her grandkids were one of her many joys and she would make a point to go to each sporting event that she could. She was often found at the soccer fields, the Miracle League baseball fields, or the various gymnastics meets. Cheryl was a loving person who gave back to others but liked to remain behind the scenes.

She is survived by her children, John Nolan Jr., Rusty (Robin) Nolan, Courtney Schwarz; ex-husband, John Nolan, Sr.; siblings, Debbie (Frank) Holmes, Lisa (Ben) Devick, Teresa Wheeler, and Jeff (Geri) Wheeler; grandchildren, Hunter Nolan, Aveda and Summer Nolan, and Killian and Griffin Schwarz.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Virginia Wheeler; infant son, Timothy Nolan; and daughter-in-law, Fran Nolan.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, May 4, 2025 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of the four charities that Cheryl donated to every month: Wounded Warriors Project, Food Bank of Iowa, Hope Ministries, or Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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