All are welcome to celebrate Cheryl’s story on the morning of Friday, January 9, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church in Bridgeport. A gathering for viewing and fellowship will begin at 9:00 a.m., with services led by Rev. Jonathan Berosek at 10:00 a.m. Committal will be held at Oregon Trail Memorial Cemetery and followed by lunch in the church Fellowship Hall. Flowers are welcome and may be ordered through The Simple Co. in Bridgeport at 308.262.1621. Memorials honoring Cheryl may be made to her family and will be designated at a later time. Online condolences may be made by viewing Cheryl’s memorial page at www. bridgmanfuneralhome.com.

Cheryl was born in Alliance, Nebraska, on December 21, 1948, to William (Bill) and Beverly Benda of Hemingford. As a farm girl, she especially enjoyed raising and showing horses for 4-H. She then pursued and earned a bachelor’s in education at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. There, she fell in love with Edwin Harms of Ragan, NE, who was studying Soil and Water Conservation. After both graduated in 1971, they married in May of 1972 at Hemingford United Methodist Church, and lived in Lincoln, Fremont, and then Columbus. Cheryl taught third-grade elementary school in Elgin and Columbus, while also enjoying flower-gardening, family gatherings, and movie- going with Ed. She then flourished as a full-time parent once their son, Eric, was born in 1975.

The young family moved to rural Bridgeport in 1979, where Cheryl continued to enjoy her flowers, cooking and baking, serving as a church deacon, and substitute- teaching at various local schools. She and Ed founded and led a local 4-H Club for many years. 1986 brought the arrival of their daughter, Kayla, in whom Cheryl’s love of horses continued, also through 4-H.

Cheryl’s pride and joy was always in her family, and she delighted in every gathering and event, no matter how small or routine. Her memory lives on in her husband Edwin Harms; son Eric Harms and daughter-in-law Æmber Fish of Boulder, CO; daughter Kayla, sonin- law Justin, and grandchildren Mason, Peyton, and Kennedi Cox of Prague, NE; sister-in-law Gina Benda of Alliance, NE; sister Jody and brother-in-law Doug Osler of North Platte, NE; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends.