Sheryl (Cooling) Van Wyk, 68, formerly of Sully, passed away Sunday, May 11, 2025, at Glen Oaks Alzheimer’s Specialty Care Center in Urbandale. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 14, at Mitchell Family Funeral Home, Marshall-town. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Marshalltown. Memorial donations may be directed to the family for later designation to an Alzheimer’s organization of their choice.
She was born Sheryl Lynn Cooling on Aug. 5, 1956, in Marshalltown, the second child of Vernon and Ruth (Nott) Cooling. She graduated from Garwin High School in 1974.
In 1976, Sheryl was united in marriage with Paul Steuhm. They were blessed with two daughters Kellie and Kendra. The couple later divorced.
Sheryl was united in marriage with Dale Freese in 1991. They were blessed with a son Colt. The couple later separated.
In 2005, Sheryl was united in marriage with Wes Van Wyk. The couple later divorced. Sheryl worked at Iowa Telecom, formerly General Telephone Electronics, for many years before leaving to help her husband, Wes, run their business. Sheryl worked the administrative operations for Earth Works Inc.
Sheryl was raised in the United Methodist Church but in her adult life, she attended Sully First Reformed Church. She was active in the community – helping with the Jasper County Freedom Rock and the 125th Celebration of Sully.
Sheryl was intrigued by history, whether it be war history, music, or classic Hollywood. She loved music (especially the Beatles and Fleetwood Mac) and live concerts. Sheryl loved going antiquing and to flea markets and feeling the wind through her hair on motorcycle rides or on a cruise in her convertible.
Sheryl loved her family dearly and enjoyed time with each of them. She would take all the jokes coming from her kids with her fun-loving spirit, cherished trips with her parents, and adored her grandchildren. Sheryl had the ability to make a stranger into a friend quickly and had a bright smile for everyone she crossed paths with. Sheryl was vibrant, kind, generous, and helpful to all around her.
Sheryl was given the diagnosis of dementia in 2020 and has been in a care facility for the last five years. She kept up her spunky charismatic persona while at Glen Oaks Alzheimer’s Specialty Care Center.
Sheryl was preceded in death by her dad Vernon Cooling; the fathers of her children Paul Steuhm and Dale Freese; and her brothers Ray and Rick Cooling. Left to cherish her memory are her mother Ruth Cooling of Garwin; her children Kellie Phillips of Pella, Kendra Steuhm of Seattle, WA, and Colt Freese of Colorado Springs, CO; and grandchildren Harper and Quinn Phillips. She is also survived by her siblings DeeAnna Feldmann, Greg Cooling, and Danny Cooling.
