Sheryl Ann Diedrich, 59, of Spearfish, SD went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
Sheryl was born October 4, 1965, to Merle and Marlene Aamot in Pierre, SD. She was the second child in their family of five, with an older sister, Lisa, and younger brother, Steve. Sheryl’s early years were spent in Reliance, SD. Her mom was her kindergarten teacher. The family relocated to Burke, where Sheryl completed grades 1 – 5. At that time, the family moved back to Lyman County where they farmed and ranched in the Kennebec area. She learned the value of hard work at a young age. Taking care of livestock, assisting her dad in farming and ranching jobs were part of her daily life. In her teenage years, Sheryl, her sister, Lisa, and brother, Steve, were responsible for the artificial insemination of a large herd of her dad’s Angus cattle south of Kennebec. Together they handled horses, cows, skunks, and rattlesnakes and finished each season with entertaining stories and great success. Sheryl participated in band, sports, and 4-H throughout her school years and graduated from Lyman High School, in 1983. She attended college at SDSU in Brookings for two years then transferred to USD in Vermillion where she earned her elementary education teaching degree in 1988. Her teaching career began in Agar that fall, and she poured her heart into the education of elementary students. Sheryl and John rekindled their high school romance and were married on August 19, 1989. She accepted a teaching job in Gillette, WY, where they lived while John worked nearby in Wright, WY, for Arch coal mines.
The joyous chapter of parenthood began in 1991, when Nicole Ann was born. Sheryl balanced being a mom and teaching for several years. She took great pride in her years at Campbell County Schools. Drew Thomas was born in 1994, and Sheryl then chose to become a stay-at-home mom, pausing her teaching career. Due to their love for the Black Hills, they made the decision to buy 40 acres and built their beautiful country home north of Spearfish in 1997. Carson Jace joined the crew in 2003. John continued to work at the coal mine while Sheryl kept the home fires burning, including keeping the kids involved with 4-H, church activities, sports, swimming lessons, camping, etc. While her kids were young, she utilized her creative talents and taught Art at the Spearfish Christian School for several years. She was also involved in teaching Sunday School, happy to share her faith in Jesus with youth. Blessed to be called mom to her three children, Sheryl took great pride in each of their talents and accomplishments. Her heart was full when the family was gathered around the table enjoying her home cooked meals and a game or two of Dutch Blitz.
Sheryl appreciated the simple things in life. She found joy in the great outdoors whether it was in her kayak on the lake, tubing down the Redwater River, tending to the flowers on her front porch, or enjoying an evening fire while admiring the wide-open spaces that she got to call home. Many memories involved snowmobiling, skiing, horse rides, and simply enjoying nature. She was an animal lover her entire life and many cats and dogs were lucky to belong to her, most recently Koda, her faithful golden retriever friend. She loved the country life and the company of her chickens, horse, cats and dog. Friendships meant the world to her, and she loved her circle deeply.
Sheryl is survived by her husband John; daughter, Nicole (Caiman) Davidson; sons, Drew and Carson; parents, Merle and Marlene Aamot; brother, Steve (Robbie) Aamot; sister, Lisa (Marc) Bogue, and many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 5PM – 7PM, at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish, SD. Pastor Tom Karp will officiate the Celebration of Life at 10AM on Friday, June 27, 2025, at Cowboy Church in Beulah, WY, with burial to follow at Green Mountain Cemetery in Sundance, WY. The family would like to welcome friends and family for a fellowship luncheon following the burial at Church of Christ in Sundance, WY.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Bella Pregnancy Resource Center and Klein Ranch.
