Cheri L. Bennett, 59, of Cambridge, Wisconsin, unexpectedly passed away on April 6th, 2023. She was born January 8th, 1964, to parents Dr. Kenneth A. Bennett and Helen L. Bennett (Maze), in Tucson, Arizona.

The family moved to Eugene, Oregon before finally settling in Madison, WI in 1970. Cheri attended James Madison Memorial high school, graduating in 1982. Cheri married Paul Jeff Foreman in 1990 and together they moved to Rio, WI where they had two children, Krista and Jack. Cheri and Jeff eventually went their separate ways, but remained friends over the years.

Mom had many passions; one being gardening and houseplants. She would often cook incredible meals with her home-grown food and can salsa every season. She created an oasis of houseplants on our enclosed front porch, making it feel like a wild jungle. Even now, her home is filled with a variety of beautiful plants.

Mom had a special connection with animals, always going out of her way to help those in need. We had countless pets growing up, along with several rescued wildlife. Mom once took in a nest of abandoned baby squirrels, another time she fostered a baby goat in our 2-bedroom apartment. She took her love of animals to a professional level, working at the MacKenzie Center, a sanctuary for injured or orphaned wildlife for a period of time. She enjoyed feeding the various animals, the most memorable being the cougars, wolves, and an eagle.

Mom was an artist. From hand painting Dalmatian paws in Krista’s childhood bedroom, building snow dinosaurs, creating another world through cardboard box forts for Jack, or finishing a science or art project that one or both of her children conveniently forgot to tell her was due the next day. She was thankfully gifted with an abundance of creativity.

Mom was an adventurer. She taught her children to be curious and explore. She was always creating a remarkable and memorable adventure out of thin air. Whether that was pulling the kids out of school early to drive down to Chicago for a weekend or riding our bikes through a rainstorm because it was fun. She loved to watch storms and be outside whenever possible. This contributed to her affliction for wearing shoes. Always one to be barefoot, mom could traverse any terrain.

Most importantly, Cheri was an amazing mother and person, even when the odds were against her, and they often were. She taught her children kindness, and to respect one another. She gave everyone she met the benefit of the doubt, and treated people as equals. She was her own person, and never conformed to society’s expectations. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit and stories will live on through her children, family, and friends.

Cheri is survived by her two children, daughter, Krista Foreman; son, Jack Foreman; grandson, Weston Foreman; and sister, Letitia Bennett. She is predeceased by her parents, Ken and Helen Bennett, and her canine companion of 15 years, Sonny.

No services will be held.

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