Obituary: Lt. Col. Cherie J. Boudwin, USA (Ret.)

October 27, 1944 ~ January 3, 2023

Lt. Col. Cherie Jeanne Marie Boudwin, USA (Ret.), “Cookie” to those who knew and loved her, 78, of Sturgeon Bay, died Tuesday afternoon, January 3, 2023 at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay.

She was born October 27, 1944 at the (former) Dorchester Hospital in Sturgeon Bay, the daughter of Cyril “Bud” Joseph Boudwin and Rita Mae (Jackson) Boudwin. Cherie grew up attending St. Joseph Parish and Parochial School in Sturgeon Bay and graduated from there in 1958. She attended Sturgeon Bay High School and graduated with the class of 1962.

Cherie enlisted to serve her country with the United States Army in 1964, initially with the WAC Reserves. She studied nursing at the St. Agnes School of Nursing in Fond du Lac and graduated from there in 1965. Cherie was commissioned an Amy Nurse Corps 2 Lt. and completed basic training at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX that same year. In 1966, she was assigned to Ft. Ord in Monterey, CA and worked in in the meningitis and communicable disease unit. She received temporary duty assignment at the 3rd Field Hospital in Saigon, Vietnam and worked in Tropical Disease and Medical Unit. There, Cherie worked with the Walter Reed Research Team. From 1966-1967 she served with the 24th Evacuation Hospital in Long Binh, Vietnam where she was the head nurse of the medical ICU there and worked with the overflow surgical and neuro unit. From 1967-1968, she worked at the Fitzsimmons General Army Hospital in Aurora, CO.

Cherie married Peter Propsom on April 26, 1969. They moved back to Sturgeon Bay in 1975. During their 20-year marriage, they had two sons: Matthew and Michael.

In 1979, she was recommissioned in the United States Army Reserves and remained in the Reserves until 1998. Cherie served with the 452nd Combat Support Hospital in Milwaukee and the 44th General Hospital in Madison. In 1991, she was activated for Desert Storm and served at the 98th General Hospital in Nurenburg, Germany.

Cherie retired after 48 years in civilian nursing, working at Door County Memorial Hospital (currently Door County Medical Center), the Dorchester (currently Sturgeon Bay Health Services) in Sturgeon Bay, and Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay. She also served 21 years in the United States Army (active and Reserve duty) with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Through her military service, she received the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 60 Device, Overseas Service Ribbon with Number 2, Army Reserves Components Achievement Medal (1 OLC), and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

Cherie loved her sons dearly and spent countless hours watching their sporting events. She loved to cook for her family and especially enjoyed hosting holiday gatherings. She also enjoyed traveling. She attended multiple military reunions, toured Italy, and cherished family trips to Hawaii and Disney World.

Cherie will be missed by her special friend and companion, Tom Busch of Sturgeon Bay; two sons, Matthew (Rebekah) Propsom and Michael (Jennifer) Propsom, both of Sturgeon Bay; five grandchildren, Mason and Madeline Propsom and Ellie, Tyler, and Drew Propsom; three siblings, Steve (Cynthia) Boudwin of Green Bay, Monica (John) Lauscher of Sturgeon Bay, and Mary (John) Wozniak of Lake In the Hills, IL; 12 nieces and nephews; special family, Scott, Cathie, and Colin Deal; other relatives; and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; former husband; niece, Taylor Wozniak; and other relatives.

Cherie’s life will be honored with a funeral service held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Bay View Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay with Pastor Jeff Greathouse officiating. She will be laid to rest beside family in St. Joseph Cemetery with military honors by the United States Army and the Weber-Tess AMVETS Post 51.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Monday, January 9, 2023 at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay and then continue at Bay View Lutheran Church on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.

Memorials may be given in Cherie’s name for the Boys & Girls Club of Door County (P.O. Box 579, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235; www.bgcdoorcounty.org).

Cherie wanted her family to know that she “was very proud of them, loved them more than anything, and loved being Gramma.”

“Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the staff of Aurora BayCare Medical Center, Rennes Rehabilitation Facility, Sturgeon Bay Health Services, Door County Medical Center, and Unity Hospice for the wonderful and compassionate care given to our mother.”

Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Cherie may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.