Sheri Daye (Gilbertson) Ness, age 63, of Minneapolis, MN, left her earthly home on February 4, 2026, to live forever with Jesus in heaven. She died, in her home as she wished, with simple dignity, from Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

If you knew Sheri and ever asked where her optimism and sunny (perhaps radiant) personality came from, she would simply say her life with Jesus. She loved Jesus and daily studied his Word to become more like him. Having a deep understanding of the gift of grace, she practiced extending grace to others, even in her last days. She was always attentive to the Holy Spirit’s presence, who whispered strength, encouragement, and comfort into her. Sheri also had the gifts of unwavering trust, faith, hope, empathy, kindness, joy, and especially love. She loved God and she loved people so very well. She was a friend to all, and her kindness will always be remembered.

Sheri was born Sheryl Daye Gilbertson on March 31, 1962 (although her father, Gudmund, always called her Susan). Her nickname was Sheri until she legally changed it. Sheri’s formative years were spent in her hometown of Fairdale, ND (population 76), where she experienced the grandeur and richness of God’s creative design and his deep love for her while growing up on the plains of the Midwest and in the wheat fields as a farmer’s daughter. She graduated from Edmore High School, where she discovered her natural talent for cheerleading, first for her high school teams and then for her friends and family during their great individual races of life.

After attending the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and graduating with a business degree, she worked as the Human Resources Director at St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes, MN, where she first met her husband, John Ness. Or, perhaps more accurately, they first met when Bob Ness, John’s father, introduced them at a Thanksgiving church service because he happened to meet Sheri in the foyer. Bob famously remarked, “You have a beautiful smile. I have two sons here. One is taken, but the other is available. Marianne, go find John!” Bob then invited her over for pie, as his wife, Marianne, had legendary pie-making skills, and there was always pie around the house. John often says that Sheri was the first person he met with an “ivory-colored aura,” and he instantly realized she was the woman he was meant to marry (although, in fairness, it took him a little time to convince Sheri that would happen). They were married 39 years ago, in the same church where they met, on June 14, 1986, and moved to Chicago, IL, following their honeymoon.

Sheri and John were both adventurers. They moved 14 times in their first 12 years of marriage, living in River Forest, Elmhurst, Wheaton, and Glen Ellyn near Chicago, IL; Sacramento, CA; on Lake Harriet in Minneapolis and in Edina, MN; and Adelaide, South Australia, where John pursued specialty medical training. In Australia, they also lived in North Adelaide (until the fruit rats encouraged them to leave) and in a home on the shores of Henley Beach. The following year, they moved back to Sacramento, CA, before returning to Minnesota, where they lived in St. Cloud and then Minneapolis. After living in an “urban cabin” (condo) on Lake Calhoun (now Bde Maka Ska), they remodeled a house on Cedar Lake that Sheri made into their home.

Sheri was preceded in death by her parents, Gudmund and Esther (Roppel) Gilbertson, of Fairdale, ND, and her sister, Colleen Faye Kosieracki, of Waconia, MN. She is survived by her husband, John Allan Ness; her children, Caleb John Ness and Luke Allan Ness; her siblings, brother Keith (Barb) Gilbertson, brother-in-law Chris Kosieracki, and brother Mark (Darci) Gilbertson; her nephews, Jeff Gilbertson, Jeremy (Jennifer) Gilbertson, Kyle (Kristin) Kosieracki, Chad (Nadia) Kosieracki, Cal (Karen) Kosieracki, and Wyatt Gilbertson; and her nieces, Jodi (Scott) Wieter, Cassie Gilbertson, and Taylor Gilbertson.

She was a beloved aunt to many others, including Stephanie (Adam) Sarff, Daniel (Karla) Ness, Kevin (Jennah) Ness, Linnea (JP) Ness de Rivera, Ben Ness, Tyler (Christa) Thielsen, Anissa (Roope) Reko, Kara (DJ) Deeth, and many grand-nephews and grand-nieces. She was called “Aunt Sheri” by countless friends and chosen family who loved her and whom she loved deeply.

Visitation, funeral and remembrance services will be held at her home church:

Park Community Church

6805 Minnetonka Blvd

St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Overflow parking is available across the street at the Lenox Community Center.

Friday, February 13:

Visitation: 6–7 p.m.

A sharing time with an open mic and music will follow at 7 p.m.

Saturday, February 14:

Visitation: 10–11 a.m.

Funeral (Benediction): 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

A light lunch will be served following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to install a garden at Park Community Church in honor of Sheri’s life: 

Planted (Grace Park)

Park Community Church

6805 Minnetonka Blvd

St. Louis Park, MN 55426

A bench on the shores of Cedar Lake in Minneapolis has been dedicated in Sheri’s honor. The plaque will read: If a song or book were written about Sheri, it would simply be called “Grace.” Please sit a moment in this place of peace and experience joy and Grace at rest.