Sherri Ann Schloss

On June 19, 1965, two darling baby girls were born just 8 minutes apart to Charles and Nola Jackson of Burley, Idaho. Sherri Ann and Terri Lynn.

At an early age, Sherri was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, a chronic lung disease. Her parents were told by doctors she wouldn't live but a few years. Little did they know her determination and that of those who would provide her care.

Despite many health challenges, Sherri had a happy childhood with her sisters and loving parents. She hid her health difficulties so much many people didn't know she had CF. She would also never let her disease control how she lived her life never letting CF hold her back from living her life how she wanted. She took dance and piano lessons and learned to play the clarinet. Sherri enjoyed many years in 4-H and played in the Burley High School Band. Sherri was the friend to the friendless and could make anyone feel worthwhile and happy.

She graduated from Burley High School and Ricks College. She was a member of the Rick College Womens Council and was awarded Ricks College Woman of the Year in 1985.
Sherri met the love of her life, Rheid Schloss of Burley Idaho and on June 14, 1985, they were married for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Sherri had a love for children and a strong desire to be a mother. After doctors told her and Rheid to not expect children, on July 31, 1986, Joshua Rheid Schloss was born in Provo, Utah at 4 lbs 3 ounces. Although they always wanted a larger family, Sherri's health made adoption difficult. Once again her determination won out and Sherri and Rheid were blessed to add a beautiful fifteen year old daughter to their family, Christina Grace Schloss, in 2007.

Sherri was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Additionally, she was an avid genealogist and a member of the Larimer County Genealogical Society. In the last several years, she indexed and arbitrated tens of thousands of genealogical records in an effort to help others discover their family history. Sherri enjoyed membership in The Daughters of Utah Pioneers and was always proud of her heritage.

One of her greatest loves was being a Birth-mom Advocate for LDS Social Services. She served in all church auxiliary organizations and especially loved working with the children and her young women groups.
Sherri's greatest ambition was to write children's books and be a published author. She volunteered as an editor for a writers group while living in Spanish Fork and had a gift for expressing herself through her writings. Her family and friends loved following her blog sassycastle.blogspot.com which could brighten even the darkest of days.

After raising their son in Spanish Fork, Utah, the Schloss family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado where Sherri really enjoyed going to Rockies baseball games, being in the outdoors, and living close to Rheid's sister Maryanne Larsen and family.

Complications of CF require daily medications and physical treatments. Infection flare ups typically require IV antibiotics and hospitalization. As a older CF'er, Sherri extended her family to the team of Doctors and Nurses who cared for her. She was especially close to the wonderful doctors and nurses at National Jewish. Although Sherri spent hundreds of days in hospital beds and clinics, she made it a point to make her visits to "Club Med" enjoyable for everyone. With her quick wit, she could make the most stoic person smile. Her courage was often expressed in humor as she faced life threatening complications.

Although her progression of CF began accelerating in 2008, Sherri continued to live her life on her terms. She was often seen riding her electric-assist bike, wearing her oxygen "jet pack", to visit friends and deliver food.

In 2012, Sherri started her lung transplant journey by being accepted by Duke's transplant team but was sent home when she progressively got better. After returning home from Duke, Sherri became a familiar face at the Fort Collins Seniors Center where she would hang out with her "Peeps" keeping up with her daily physical exercise program to be ready for transplant.

After some close calls in 2014 and 2015, Sherri was hospitalized in February at National Jewish St. Joseph's Hospital in Denver, Colorado. That stay escalated to respiratory failure on April 13. On April 18, 2015 Sherri was flown to Duke University Medical Center and kept alive on a blood oxygenation machine called ECMO to awaited new lungs.

On May 6, 2015, thanks to the generous sacrifice of a donor family, Sherri received new lungs. Over the course of the next 102 days, there were many successes and setbacks - highs and lows. After a courageous fight, and progressive complications post transplant, Sherri's body stopped responding to measures to keep her alive.

Sunday, August 16, 2015, surrounded by family, Sherri took her last breath and is now enjoying her freedom from all restraints, pains, and limitations that she had in her mortal life.

In the days before her death, she wanted to express her love and appreciation to all the doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, assistants, and even the wonderful ladies who cleaned her rooms.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Rheid Schloss, Fort Collins, CO. Son- Joshua Schloss, Fort Collins, CO. Daughter – Christina Schloss, U.S. Navy. Parents – Charles & Nola Jackson, Burley, ID. Sister – Ralene Jackson Butcher (Jeff), Murray, UT. Sister - Terri Jackson Weatherford (Doug), Spanish Fork, UT. Rheid's parents – Fred & Margaret Schloss, Heber City, UT. Brother-in-law - Robert Schloss (Jean), Orem, UT, Sister-in-law - Carolyn Toney (Jeff), American Fork, UT, Sister-in-law - Mary Anne Larson (Mike), Fort Collins, CO and and many nieces and nephews. She was also survived by her beloved dog, Tucker.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents and Brother-in-law Richard William Schloss.

. A visitation will be held, Monday, 6 – 8 p.m. at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. A viewing will begin, Tuesday, 10 a.m., with the funeral service to follow at 11 a.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Timberline Ward, 600 E. Swallow. Interment, Burley Idaho.