RAPID CITY- Cheryl A​. Ruggeri, 72 passed away on Thursday, September 16, 2021 in Mesa, Arizona.

She was born August 29, 1949, in Sioux City, Iowa. She grew up in Jefferson, SD, Rapid City, SD, Leadville, CO and graduated from Rapid City High School. She participated in competitive swimming.  Before ​there were ​tornado shelters, Cheryl was a lifeguard on duty who evacuated the children to lay in ditches during The Father's Day Tornado in 1967.

Cheryl married Tony Ruggeri on August 6​, 1976 in Rapid City until his passing in 1992.  Cheryl met her second love Paul Gillings on July 4, 199​8.    After graduating from Black Hills State College in 1971, Cheryl was a teacher in the Rapid City School District and led the establishment of the first elementary computer curriculum for South Dakota.

Cheryl was also involved in several family businesses in the area starting at her grandparent's bar in Jefferson, SD at the age of 9 and later included the Bel-Aire Motel, Budget Signs, Stormin "Norm's" in Sturgis, Discount Gold, Black Hills Gold Discount, Casa Real, commercial and residential rentals and many businesses at the Rushmore Mall, including The Gold Company, Temptations.

Cheryl's free spirit started at the age of 14 when she used babysitting money to purchase a horse named Ginger, hiding her from her parents for over a year.  Cheryl was regularly seen riding Ginger on Jackson Boulevard ending with milkshakes at McDonalds drive through.   She had been known to hitchhike everywhere including on a whim to Haight Ashbury in San Francisco during the height of 60's.

Later in life, Cheryl, Tony and children took a pop-up opportunity and moved to Athens Greece for two years where her love of travel continued.  Cheryl enjoyed whatever the club du jour (Book, gardening, Stich and 'Snitch') as any excuse to enjoy company with friends.

After retiring Cheryl enjoyed travelling with Paul,  regular visits to grandchildren, and eventually settling as a snowbird in Mesa, Arizona.

Survivors include life partner Paul Gillings; Children: Tonya Walters and husband Matt, Angelo Ruggeri and wife Kelly; Siblings: Tracy Bode and husband, Rich, Kim Gary and wife Barb; Paul's children:  Dru Lippert and Bowen Gillings and wife Diane; and grandchildren: Alyssa Reis, Natalie Ruggeri, Caitilyn Ruggeri, Serena Ruggeri, Paige Walters, Ethan Walters, Jayden Walters, Dakota Lippert, and Aeryn Gillings.

Celebration of Life will be from 5 PM to 7PM on Friday October 1 at Best Western Ramkota Conference Center at 2111 North Lacrosse St, Rapid City, SD.

She was preceded in death by husband Tony Ruggeri; her parents Norm and Marilyn Gary; parent-In- laws Joseph and Theresa Ruggeri; life partner's father Dale Gillings; brother Kirk Gary; companion's son-in-law Cal Lippert.

Private family services and inurnment will be held at Mount Cavalry.

In lieu of flowers and to honor of Cheryl's lifelong passion of horses, a memorial has been established to continue her support of the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary in Hot Springs, SD.