- Date Of Birth: December 21, 1937
- Date Of Death: November 21, 2022
- State: Idaho
Cheryl Clayton had a smile that would instantly light up any room. It was in part due to her unique ability to embrace others as family, and in part to her approach to life to befriend everyone she met.
Cheryl Joan Clayton passed away on November 21, 2022 surrounded by family.
A Ucon farm girl at heart, Cheryl was born on December 21, 1937 in Idaho Falls, Idaho, one of ten children to Benjamin Burtenshaw Jr. and Eva Burtenshaw. She graduated from Bonneville High School.
A talented seamstress from a young age, Cheryl could fix everything and make anything. She once saved her sister’s wedding day by completely reassembling the bridesmaid’s dresses after they arrived in disarray.
With a passion for travel, Cheryl jet set across the globe. She started as a flight attendant with Western Airlines, and then continued exploring with family and friends later on. From dining with movie stars in Egypt to walking along the cobblestone road in Rome, she found adventure wherever she went. Mexico found a special place in her heart, drawing her back again and again.
Cheryl adopted two children, Natalie and Joe, with her first husband Bob Benjamin. Cheryl and Bob later divorced. Cheryl worked double shifts at the airport to create the best life for her children, always putting them first.
In 1978, Cheryl married Dick Clayton, Sr. She was initially entranced by his 1975 Silver Thunderbird, then enamored by his charm and generosity. Together they owned Gretel’s Gifts, where Cheryl’s extraordinary talent for decorating thrived and the shop quickly expanded. Cheryl and Dick spent their 30 years together traveling, playing golf, renovating houses, and spoiling grandchildren, as well as enjoying Senor Blur, a racehorse they owned.
Cheryl’s immense caring nature was easily displayed in her love of animals. She always had multiple dogs running around the house. She never refused her children when they brought home a stray or found a dog at a shelter, even adopting a dog for her grandchildren when she thought they needed one.
Football was another love of hers, especially the Boise State Broncos. She wore blue and orange every game day.
A cherished mother, beloved grandmother, and loved great grandmother, Cheryl is survived by her companion Ron Hon, her two children, Natalie (Barry) Black of Idaho Falls and Joseph (Stephanie) Benjamin of Boise, her three grandchildren Alexandra Paulick (Nathan) of Denver, CO., Zachary Black of Spokane, WA.
Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dick Clayton and her siblings Mardee Burtenshaw, Shirley Fortner, Don Burtenshaw and Larry Burtenshaw.
