Cheryl Ann (Dull) Vining

Cheryl Ann (Dull) Vining, 59, of Shawnee, KS passed away at her home on June 23, 2022.

Visitation will be 5:00pm-8:00pm, Thursday, June 30 at Amos Family Funeral Home (10901 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66203). Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00am, Friday, July 1 at St. Joseph Catholic Church (11311 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66203), luncheon to follow. At the families request, there will be a private inurnment.

Cheryl Ann was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on December 16, 1962 to Donald and Elizabeth (Nastav) Dull and lived there until she was two years old at which time the family moved to their new home in Shawnee, Kansas, where her mother still resides today.

At a young age, Cheryl took to swimming and thus joined the Shawnee Swim team, which she enjoyed for many years. Other outdoor activities growing up included family trips to the Ozarks, camping, and various festivals.

She attended Saint Joseph grade school and ultimately Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, where she graduated in 1981. Shortly after high school and working various small jobs, she soon landed on the doorstep of Farmers Insurance. There she served in the Policy Service departments handling various positions, but ultimately secured an important position in the Human Resources Department. She had a  love for working with people and seeing that their career and employment needs where met, which kept her on the forefront of that department as a pivotal role for over 15 years.

Through mutual friends in 1981, Cheryl was introduced to Kevin and a quick romance began to blossom. After a 2-year courtship, Kevin & Cheryl were married in Sept 1983. Renting a small one-bedroom apartment for the first 3 years, they both saved enough money to purchase their first home in Shawnee. In Dec 1988, they were blessed by their first child: Ryan Christopher. Soon to follow, in Aug 1992, their daughter, Katelyn Marie blessed their home as their second child. Over the years Cheryl was quoted as saying, "The Good Lord gave me only two beautiful kids, because He knew two was all I could handle," but she poured everything she had into her children.

Leaving Farmers Insurance in the late 1990's, she embarked on a completely new realm of business, one that would be a challenging and rewarding career for over 20 years; Estate and Trust Law. As a Legal Assistant she was introduced to a wide range of complicated laws and protocols, and although sometimes difficult to navigate the waters of Law, she would diligently execute her duties with the utmost care and respect for her clients. She simply loved working with people on a professional level and assisting clients.

As the years rolled along, the family bought a boat and soon found absolute enjoyment on the water. Settled in the front seat of the boat with the wind blowing through her hair as the boat skimmed along the water, it was a must for Cheryl that Bon-Jovi music had to be blaring through the speakers as she was seemingly directing the music with her arms swinging in the air.  Although Cheryl was not keen on swimming in the lake, it was because she could not see any fish that might be sneaking up on her. If a fish happened to nibble at her toes, Cheryl could quickly do her "Jesus imitation" and walk on water to get back in the boat. Many times, family and friends laughed at that because she was so good at it. Riding Jet-Skies or Seadoos was always something she also enjoyed because she had complete control, as could simply outrun the fish.

In 2016, Kevin and Cheryl entertained the idea of purchasing a 5th-Wheel camper as the next chapter in their lives. Although Cheryl embraced this new form of outdoors with great enthusiasm, it wasn't until Spring of 2020 when they bought their first 5th-Wheel travel trailer. Through great friends and a common love for the outdoors, Cheryl enjoyed her camper and soon latched onto the phrase, "Were not camping, we're Glamping," because the camper had all the amenities of a small home, Nonetheless, Cheryl enjoyed the cool nights around the camp fires, cooking outdoors, and the never-ending topics of conversations. Camping and Boating were certainly two places that made her content with happiness.

When not working, boating, camping, she truly loved to just be outdoors on the family deck or patio watching the birds come up to the feeders. On occasion, a racoon or opossum would wander up on the patio, to which Cheryl would want to go pet it. Although she never did that, her love for kitty cats is unsurpassed. Periodically a stray cat may wander through, but Cheryl always had a plate of food ready for them and never turned away a stray.  Her own two kitties, Simon and Sven will greatly miss her voice and the way treated them, as they knew when she was in the kitchen, little treats somehow managed to hit the floor.

Although not extensive, Kevin and Cheryl traveled a few times to places like Cancun, Cabo, Maui, Dominican Republic, Erfurt, Germany, and the continental United States.  It was in all these places we had good times and met many fun people (some we still talk with today).

Above all else, Cheryl had one passion that she was darn good at: Cooking. She had a love for Croatian foods and other spiced dishes were her strong suit. She cooked all the time and relished with the knowledge that people were coming to her home to eat. Everybody knew that if you were going to Cheryl Ann's house, you better bring your appetite, because she would not let you out of the house until you were stuffed. And just when you think you can’t eat another bite, out came the desserts. People just got use to the idea that you were just going have to eat everything. With that being said, if you happened to be around for one of her favorite sports teams (Chiefs, Royals and Kansas basketball) playing on TV, you could count on a full blown array of chips, dips (Ranch, Rotel, Southern Spice), veggies, sweets and fruit. She absolutely loved feeding family and friends.

If you ever received a gift or present from Cheryl, you could bank on the fact it was most likely something that had her own personal touch to it. The package or bag was specific to the individual she was giving it too, as she loved buying / making something personal for others.

Cheryl possessed countless amazing traits, but her best was mastering the role(s) of a wife, mother, sister, and daughter, and her latest role as a first time grandmother.  Everything she did in life, she did it for the benefit of her family. She was a generous giver, a confidant, a solid friend, and one you could count on.

Cheryl is preceded in death by many aunts, uncles and grandfathers and grandmothers, but most recent her father, Donald Dull.

Survivors include her husband of 38 years, Kevin; children Ryan (Amber), grandchild, Benson and Kate (Eric); mother, Elizabeth Dull; brothers Dennis (Kathy) Dull, and Greg (Allison) Dull; cousins Joann (Jeff) Brown.  Diane Kirk; Joe (Nicholle) Burke, nephews and nieces Jesse (Riley), Jake (Olivia), Jared (Sarah), Joseph, Judson, Josie, Josiah, Jonathan, Jordan, and Janie.

To continue Cheryl’s immense love of animals, and in lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to her favorite organizations - Wayside Waifs or Operation Wildlife (OWL).

Cheryl, although you left us way too early, we know that God has many plans for you to help Him out. No doubt you will be helping with all the food and treats and assisting wherever you can.
May you rest peacefully and calmly. You are Loved and will FOREVER BE REMEMBERED. We ALL Love You