Obituary of Cherie Mae Burch
Cherie Mae Burch (66) longtime St. Maries, ID area resident passed away on August 12, 2023. She was born to Duane and Ellen (Harvey) Grubham on October 28, 1956, in St. Maries, ID. Cherie grew up in St. Maries and attended school there. She married Stanley Lawson at a fairly young age, and they had their daughter Karina. The marriage later ended in divorce.
Following Cherie’s schooling, she moved to Juneau, AK for a brief period where she completed Cosmetology school and met St. Maries resident Norman Burch. The couple married in St. Maries and had Travis and Trisha. They made their home in Fernwood where Cherie stayed home until her children were school age. She then went to work for Potlatch Corporation, and her marriage to Norman ended in divorce. After working over 10 years at Potlatch and several of the other area mills, Cherie worked on the slopes in the Alaska oil fields. She spent 5 years up there before returning back to St. Maries to be closer to grandchildren. She then spent time at the Smoke Shop, Minser Inc. (smoking hot crew), and her current position at Heyburn State Park where she was promoted the morning she died to Park Ranger.
Cherie was a free spirit and a spitfire who might have resembled the Energizer Bunny at times always having to be on the go. She enjoyed everything the outdoors had to offer, specifically camping, hiking, swimming, and working; she was a very hard worker and took pride in everything she did. Cherie also loved her family dearly and loved family get togethers. She had a fierce love for her dogs. A social butterfly, she enjoyed dancing, music, concerts, and meeting new people.
Cherie is survived by her children Karina (Tim) Duke of St. Maries, ID, Travis (Megan) Burch of Emida, ID, and Trisha Burch (Matthew Jordan) of Coeur d’ Alene, ID; mother Ellen Lauer of St. Maries; grandchildren Cherie Lawson, Lyam Jordan, Layton Jordan, Greysin Burch, and Riley Burch; great grandchildren Avianna Lawson and Jasper Lawson; nephews Terry Grubham Jr and Brandon Dustin; and niece Katie Grubham; several great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father and her brother Terry Grubham.
A private outdoor gathering to celebrate Cherie’s life will be held at a later date.
