Cheryl Ann O’Connell McCarten age 59 of Hudson, formerly of River Falls died unexpectedly Thursday April 12th, 2018 at Regions Hospital surrounded by her family. Cheryl was born on March 23, 1959 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota; the daughter of Thomas and Rose (Kinney) O’Connell. She attended St. Bridget’s Parochial School prior to graduating from River Falls High School. Cheryl was free spirited and at a young age she canvased the south western United States to begin her adult life. She ended up in California, which she loved dearly. While in California, she took the greatest pleasure in living the life on the beach. She appreciated the people and beauty of the California coast. She would be married to Patrick McCarten to which four children were born. This union would later dissolve, but her children would remain the light of her life. She would further her education at Cabrillo College in California where she earned her Associates degree in Administrative Assistant.

She would later move back to the River Falls area and began working for JCAHPO, where she helped run annual certification conferences for Ophthalmologists. After working there for over 10 years, she left to work at Bob and Steve’s BP in River Falls. To her it wasn’t a job, but rather an opportunity to visit with others and share her smile with customers. When she wasn’t at work, she loved being surrounded by her children; Brian, Kelly, Daniel, and Sarah.

They were the apple of her eye, and she was so proud of them. Some of her favorite pastimes were playing Bejeweled on the computer and watching her beloved Packers and Twins play, and cheering them onto victory.

Cheryl will be fondly remembered by her children Brian McCarten, Kelly McCarten, Daniel McCarten, Sarah McCarten; granddaughter Faylinn; siblings Bobbie O’Connell, Barb (Miikka) Suvanto, Bill (Tammy) O’Connell, Jeannie O’Connell, Ralph O’Connell, Joe (Kris) O’Connell, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents.

A prayer service remembering the life of Cheryl will be 7PM Tuesday, April 17th at the O’Connell Benedict Family Funeral Home, 225 No. 3rd Street in River Falls. Visitation will be prior to the service at the funeral home from 4pm to 7pm. Interment will be private. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to the family’s discretion. Funeral services entrusted to the O’Connell Benedict Family Funeral Home of River Falls.