Cheryl Twardowski

Cheryl Twardowski was a compassionate and kind-hearted woman, who believed that being loved is the most important thing in life. She loved all kinds of people, from all walks of life, and never hesitated to share her talents and time with others. Above all else, Cheryl loved her family, and always put their needs before her own. Cheryl’s irrepressible sense of humor, ethic of hard work, and true concern for others will live on in the hearts and memories of all those whose lives she touched.

Cheryl was born on September 28, 1955, to proud parents Walter and Mary Kloka. She was one of the “Kloka girls,” and grew up with sisters Carol, Constance, Charlene, and Cynthia. The Kloka family lived in Chicago, Illinois, where Walter and Mary owned a men’s clothing store. Business was slow, however, so they soon decided to transform the shop into a restaurant. Mary was the driving force behind the restaurant, but the whole family contributed to the business.

Cheryl and her sisters grew up in the “back of the yards” neighborhood, a mostly Polish-Catholic Chicago neighborhood. Mary Kloka came from a large Polish family, so holidays were boisterous and cheerful gatherings, spent with her many brothers, sisters, and 23 cousins. There was always plenty of good Polish food to go around, and Cheryl feasted on pierogis, Polish sausage, rye bread, white borscht soup, and other delicious dishes.

When the time came for Cheryl to go to school, she was enrolled at St. Joseph’s Elementary. It was at St. Joe’s that Cheryl met her lifelong best friend, Dolores Droba-Rosales. Cheryl and Dolores were so close that Dolores was often referred to as the “sixth Kloka girl.” The two girls enjoyed playing Red Rover in the schoolyard, and often volunteered to wash the school floors on Saturdays (despite their best intentions, they almost always managed to get into some sort of trouble). Cheryl was frequently reprimanded for crossing her legs at school – the nuns told her to stop “swinging the devil.”

By the time Cheryl was in high school, her parents had closed the restaurant in order to keep a closer eye on their teenage daughters. Walter worked as a factory worker and janitor, while Mary drove a taxi. Outgoing and friendly, Cheryl made friends easily in high school, and participated in both the basketball team and cheerleading squad. Their basketball team was known as “Snow White and the 7 G’s,” in reference to a silly misunderstanding between the students and a nun, and Cheryl was dubbed “Dopey.” One of Cheryl’s favorite memories from these years was learning to drive the “Klokamobile,” the ugliest, biggest tangerine-colored car ever seen.

Cheryl met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Twardowski, while she was still in high school. They first met at a mutual friend’s house, where Cheryl was hanging out and Bob was playing the drums in a band. Cheryl and Bob ended up going to prom together, and the rest is history. After Cheryl graduated from St. Joseph’s High School, the happy couple was married on September 3, 1976.

Cheryl and Bob honeymooned in Wisconsin for a fishing and camping trip, and then started their married life in Chicago, Illinois. Cheryl found a job at Central Steel, while Bob worked as a mechanic for Volkswagen. They eventually settled down in Kankakee, Illinois, where Cheryl worked for H&R Block. Cheryl was a natural people person, and really enjoyed interacting with her hundreds of clients. She also loved her co-workers – some of her favorite people in the world – and made many long-term friendships. Cheryl worked at H&R Block for the next thirty years, and every day she woke up happy to go to work. Cheryl was also involved with the purchase of a small motel in St. Anne, Illinois, and helped her parents and husband with operations of the Georgian Motel for many years.

In the meantime, Cheryl and Bob had welcomed two new members into their family: Amy and Garett. Cheryl loved being a mom, and her family was truly her most valued treasure. She enjoyed spending time at home, and simple pleasures brought her the most happiness – watching TV together, sitting on the back porch, and hanging out with family. Cheryl was a great cook, and her delicious meals drew the family together. Every evening the entire family sat down together, sharing food and fellowship – a wonderful family tradition that lasted until the kids were grown and out of the house. When they had the chance, Cheryl and Bob enjoyed taking the kids on family camping and fishing trips. One of their best vacations was a weekend spent on an island on the Illinois River, complete with campfires, ropes swinging into the river, and water-skiing. In her free time, Cheryl enjoyed watching soap operas, reading, and going out for Mexican food. Cheryl loved being a grandmother to her granddaughter Bryleigh.

In addition to her own family, Cheryl remained close to her extended family, especially her sister, Carol. She had four nieces and two nephews, some of whom spent a few summers at Cheryl’s home. Cheryl’s door was always open, and she helped to take care of them throughout the years when their own parents were facing difficulties. More recently, Carol has been there for Cheryl in her time of need, helping her to travel to cancer treatments and frequently visiting her in the hospital. Cheryl had an incredible tolerance for pain, and never let her illness stop her from enjoying life or spending time with those she loved.

Generous and compassionate, hardworking and fun loving, Cheryl was a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, and a loyal friend. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her many friends and family members.

Mrs. Cheryl Twardowski died on January 4, 2013, at the age of 57. Cheryl’s family includes her daughter, Amy Twardowski of Chicago, IL; her son, Garett (Lauren) Twardowski of St.Anne, IL; her granddaughter, Bryleigh Twardowski; her sisters, Carol Kloka and Charlene Kloka, both of Chicago, IL; her nieces, Gina (Jamie) Conley, Anna Hartnett and Martha Hartnett; her nephew, Tony (Christie) Grigat; and her dear friend, Dolores Droba-Rosales. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Twardowski, on May 3, 2012; her parents, Walterand Mary Kolka; and her sisters, Cyndy Kloka-Engelhardt and Connie Kloka.

A celebration of Cheryl’s life will be held on Tuesday, January 8, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Kankakee Chapel of the Schreffler Life Story Funeral Homes. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Hospital Cancer Center, 100 Provena Way Bourbonnais, IL, 60914. Please visit Cheryl’s personal memory page at www.schrefflerfuneralhome.com, where you can learn more about her life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.