I am grateful I had a chance to work with and know Sheryl in the ISU English dept. She was kind, calm and patient and had a subtle sense of humor. She made us all look good in her photos of faculty and staff. And she did so much behind the scenes to make department gatherings go well. I enjoyed seeing her occasionally with her granddaughters around the department when they came for lunch. It was clear they brought her much delight. Deepest condolences to the whole family during this difficult time.

I will always remember Sheryl's calm demeanor, friendly greetings, and beautiful smile, and the way she made the ISU English Department go. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. My deepest sympathy to all her beloved family.

Our hearts hurt for you and your family, Ron. We are praying for God's grace and all your warm memories of time spent and love shared to comfort you 🙏 💔

Sheryl was a wonderful person; her support of everyone and genuine care for TAs made the office the heart of the English Department. Sending so much love to her family, and gratitude to have known her.

Sheryl was the light of the English department at ISU. I'm so grateful I got to know her. So much peace to her family and loved ones. Thank you for sharing her with us. We're changed by the kind way she treated us.

Sheryl was an absolutely luminous person to be around, she will be greatly missed. With our sincere condolences to her loved ones.

Sheryl made a huge impact on her colleagues and the students in the English Department at ISU over many decades. Her kindness, generous spirit, and love of learning new things (often in an effort to help others and do her job even better) made her a valued member of the department community and a wonderful friend.

I will miss lunches with Sheryl, birthday cards that made me laugh, and a listening ear in tough times. A few of favorite Sheryl memories stand out for me. Together, we sat through a graduate class on content management systems just so we could understand the potential uses for the department website better. For several years, we and other gal pals competed as Team Body English for Live Healthy Iowa competitions, one year winning the University Wellness award for the most creative way to bring the team together (carrying a Mr. Potato Head doll from one campus location to another for selfies). And working with her on many, many videos for the department holiday parties and retirement gatherings; Sheryl had a huge repository of department photos, going back years, that we drew on for humor and community-building. Sheryl embodied community and was the best of us at fostering it. She was loved and will be sorely missed.

Ron, Brad, Ryan, Alberta, and family, may God give you peace as you mourn for your wife, daughter, mother, sister and loved one and celebrate her life, confident that others share your grief over the loss of such a lovely person. I’ll think of Sheryl with every monarch I see, knowing that she is now soaring, pain-free, on her next journey.—Gloria Betcher

Sheryl was an incredible friend and confidante during my graduate school years in Ames. Her sense of wit and common touch were unmatched, and she was as generous and gracious as they come. Her spoof videos were the best—and so needed! I speak for so many when I share that Sheryl made such a difference. Peace and prayers with the Kamps family. -Brian Hentz, West Hartford, CT