Sheryl Lynne (Sem) Ristvedt

Sheryl Ristvedt, 72, of Bemidji, MN died Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 7, 2018 at St. Philip’s Catholic Church with Fr. Don Braukmann officiating. A Time of Sharing will be 4-7 p.m., Sunday, May 6, 2018 at the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home and family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Bemidji.

Sheryl Lynne Sem was born January 3, 1946 in Minot, ND to Melvin and Gertrude (Hooke) Sem. She graduated from high school in Minot, ND. Sheryl married Skip Ristvedt September 3, 1963 in Minot, ND. She graduated in 1982 from Iowa State University and moved to Bemidji. She began her career as Director of Northwoods Coalition for Battered Women. She was Director of the Sexual Abuse Treatment Program at Upper Mississippi Mental Health Center and was guest adjunct faculty at Bemidji State University for family violence course in the social work program. She was a long standing member of the State Human rights commission and of the Beltrami County Multidisciplinary Child Protection Team.

She is survived by her life time partner, Vern Parenteau and Coco “their fur child” of Bemidji; children, Kent (Becky Kelly) Ristvedt of Boone, IA, Steve (Lisa) Ristvedt of Ames, IA, Monica “Mickie” (Gary) Allen of Bemidji, Tammy Parenteau of Bemidji and Lori (Darrell) Patterson of Duluth; grandchildren, Anthony (Jessica) Ristvedt of Ogden, IA, Erica Ristvedt of Nevada, IA, Trent Lasher of Ames, IA, Jamie Lasher of Ames, IA, Jamie (Annie) Allen of Bemidji, Michelle (Mark) Osborn of Northfield, MN, Michael Allen of Bemidji, Danielle (Ryan) Reierson of Bemidji, Christopher (Michelle)Bliss of Loveland, CO, Amanda (Mike) Pulczinksi of Bemidji and Adam Holler of St. Paul, MN; 18 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Gertrude Sem; brothers, Jack Sem and Lowell Sem; sister, Jean Welch; grandson, Cory Bliss and great-granddaughter, Piper Reierson.

Online guestbook at www.OlsonSchwartzFuneralHome.com

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