6 days Ago
January 14, 1931—April 5, 2025 Cheril Mae (Hess) Zumstein, 94, passed away on her beloved farm in Woodland on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Cheril was born to Gene and Mae Hess on January 14, 1931 in Ogden, Utah. Following the death of her mother in 1939, when Cheril was just eight years old her family moved around several times before ending up in Woodland in 1944.
There, in 7th grade, she met the love of her life, Joe Zumstein Jr. The high school sweethearts married on April 14, 1951. After a few years in the Navy and living in Guam, the couple returned home to Woodland.
Cheril loved to go dancing with Joe and they could frequently be found attending the local dances at the grange halls. Always together, they worked hard and they played hard. During their years together, they enjoyed many trips to various destinations like Hawaii, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, Spain and around the United States.
A favorite tradition was to attend the Pendleton Roundup every year. Cheril was very active in her local community. Joe and Cheril owned and operated Joe Zumstein Logging in Woodland for over 50 years.
While Joe worked in the woods, Cheril managed the office and wrote thousands of checks for the many employees they had over the years. She was also a member of the Woodland Chamber of Commerce and loved to participate in the Woodland Planter’s Day celebrations. In 1949 she was a Planter’s Day princess and for many years one of her great joys was designing and creating award-winning floats for the Planter’s Day parade.
Most of all, Cheril was devoted to her family and loved ones. She and Joe raised four children, Darryl, Brent, Joel, and Jolynn, on their farm in Woodland along with numerous farm animals and pets. Cheril loved spending time with her family.
She often took them to the beach or the woods in the family camping trailer for vacations. They also enjoyed spending time at their family cabin on Swift Reservoir. As the family grew up and her children started their own families, Cheril loved to frequently host family events at the farm and to be involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren.
Cheril had a deep love for her Savior, Jesus Christ, and was very active in her church. She belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was a founding member of the Woodland ward. She especially loved to work with the young women and was a leader and a friend to all who knew her.
She had a steadfast and immovable faith and loved sharing it with others. She and Joe opened their home and hearts to many in need throughout the years. Cheril was an inspiring example of Christ-like service.
She was a kind and generous person who was loved by many. Cheril was preceded in death by her beloved Joe and her son Joel. She is survived by her sons Darryl Zumstein of Woodland, Brent (Sharon) Zumstein of Woodland, her daughter Jolynn Klaus (Rick) of Ridgefield, along with 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
She will be deeply missed by all. Services for Cheril were held on April 14, 2025 and she was laid to rest with her sweetheart on their 74th wedding anniversary. Sign up to get the most recent local obituaries delivered to your inbox.
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