Cherie Dandurand, a beloved social studies teacher in Moville, Iowa, has succumbed to Covid-19. (Photo credit: Sioux City Journal)

Sadly, we report that Cherie Dandurand, a beloved social studies teacher in Moville, Iowa, has succumbed to Covid-19. She passed away on Jan. 6, 2021, at the age of 53.

Cherie was born Oct. 1, 1967. As a youngster, she attended Prairie High School School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she graduated in 1986. There she was a member of the National Honor Society, and she excelled as an athlete. In fact, as a senior, she was recognized as the All-Around Female Athlete of the Year.

After her high school graduation, Cherie enrolled at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, where earned her Bachelor’s degree from Loras College in 1990. There she excelled in both volleyball and basketball. In 2010, Cherie earned her Master’s degree from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska.

In 1991, Cherie inaugurated her teaching career as a middle school history teacher at Woodbury Central in Moville, Iowa. Her career there spanned 30 years. In addition to her classroom responsibilities, she was also a Head Coach and Assistant Coach for volleyball and basketball, and she served as the president of the Woodbury Central Education Association. “She was part of our safety committee. She was part of our leadership team. She was also a member of her school’s Character Counts Committee and part of our School Improvement Team.

According to Woodbury Central School District Superintendent Douglas Glackin, the fallen educator, “Loved working with kids, was able to reach out, especially struggling kids and get them more involved in school.”

Cherie was involved in many community activities as well. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and she was active in Boy Scouts as the Chairwoman of the Troop Committee. In her free time, this amazing educator was an avid reader.

To read more about Cherie, see her obituary published in The Gazette.