Cheri Lorraine Franklin

Cheri Lorraine Franklin, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2026 in Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho. She was 85.

Cheri was born in Pierre, South Dakota, on October 23, 1940. At an early age, she showed great aptitude for playing the piano and adored music. She would grow to become a pianist & later on, a much-loved piano teacher. Cheri and her family eventually moved to Oklahoma, where they settled in Oklahoma City. Cheri attended Central High School & was the head majorette of the marching band, something she always remembered fondly. While at Central, Cheri met the love of her life…her husband, Charles Franklin, or as she called him, “Charlie.” Cheri and Charlie married when she was 18 and he was 22.

Cheri and Charlie had seven beautiful children together: Charles Jr., Michael, Rodney & Robin (fraternal twins), Brian, Hope & Amy (also fraternal twins). They took a leap of faith and left Oklahoma, raising their seven children in Anaheim, California. There, Cheri became the loving matriarch of her family. She was a devoted Catholic, and instilled the love of God into each one of her children. She gave all she had to bestow upon them a Catholic upbringing and education. She was a constant fixture at their school & church, St. Callistus. One would often see her volunteering at bake sales, on the yard supervising recess, helping with food drives, working at the annual parish festival, helping with field trips, volunteering in classrooms…she did it all willingly, selflessly, and quietly, with fierce love in her heart.

On the rare occasion that Cheri had a soft, quiet moment to herself, she’d often turn to her piano, a beloved gift from her father. Those moments always seemed to fall upon a balmy Southern California evening, with the sliding glass door open, the sound of the sprinklers & crickets as the background for her to play. She’d sit at the piano and softly begin, her head nodding gently now and then as the melody of Clair de Lune wafted across the yard. Her children would stretch out on the carpet behind her, listening, watching her play. Those were the moments Cheri treasured.

As the years went by, Cheri and Charlie welcomed many grandchildren. Cheri’s role as “Grandma” was one she cherished. Cheri would attend every school play, every baseball or basketball game, every swim meet, every Christmas program, every birthday party. She volunteered at their schools, made Halloween costumes, helped with school projects…she lived for & adored her grandchildren. She was never happier than when she was spending time with them, baking for them, & attending mass with them. Never was there a grandmother more beloved than she.

Cheri and Charlie eventually made their final move to Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho, in 2010. There, they became happily involved with their new parish, St. Pius X. Cheri spent countless hours volunteering in the Soup Kitchen, helping with food drives, collecting items for clothing drives, and worked to distribute gifts and food during the holidays. One of her favorite things was preparing for and presenting a reading during mass on Sundays…something she deeply loved and held so tenderly in her heart.

Cheri was preceded in death by Charlie, who passed away in 2024. Even then, she remained the strong, loving matriarch her family had always known her to be. In her final years, she strengthened her faith by reading her Magnificat each and every morning…and never missed a moment to talk about Jesus and his unconditional love to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her greatest wish was that her family know Him, love Him, and trust in Him.

Cheri is survived by her seven children: sons Charles Jr., Michael, Rodney, Robin, Brian, daughters Hope and Amy, her grandchildren: Brittany, Brent, Madison, Bryce, Adam, Blake, Katherine, Jackson, Demi, Brody, Tanner, Tristan, Karissa, Lexie, Luke, Kara, and great-grandchildren: Briggs, Dax, Barek, Ozzy, Bayne, Bellarae, Lily, Rylan, Sorriah, Levi, Landon, Leila, and great-great-grandchild: Skye.

Cheri’s funeral mass will take place on Saturday, October 17th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Interment will be immediately after mass, at the St. Pius X Columbarium, where Cheri will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband, Charles. A reception in the Great Room will be held for all to attend. In lieu of flowers, Cheri’s family asks that donations be made in her honor to the St. Pius Soup Kitchen or St. Vincent de Paul.