Douglas "Digger" Cheevers

It is my privilege to tell you of the life of my husband, Digger! Digger was a giant of a man, that loved the Lord, his family, and kids, everybody’s kids! Yes, at Foundation he was known as kid whisperer! 

Douglas Jon Cheevers was born on April 21, 1949, to Howard Cheevers and Pearl (Faust) Cheevers in Sioux Rapids, Iowa! Digger graduated from Sioux Rapids High School, class of 1967. He was drafted and served his country in Germany as a military policeman from 1969 to 1971.  He returned home from Germany and worked at Spencer Foods and then Eaton Corporation until he turned 59! 

Dig loved retirement and soon realized his passion for bicycles! Riding and fixing them up to give them to kids and adults, a ministry of sharing the love of Jesus with others through a bike! There were times we had up to 300 bikes in our backyard, and he would know if even one had been moved! The first year he gave away over 400 bikes and every year after at least 200! 

Digger and I were married on September 4, 1994, after I had been Born again! I asked him! That is when you know someone loves ya; if you live together for over 20 years and they will still marry you! 

In 1995, Diggers’s son, Kurt convinced him to attend a Promises Keepers convention with him. He came home knowing Jesus as his Savior!

I have always said Kurt was the bonus when I married Digger, and Sheli, our daughter-in-law and our Grands, Xander, and Audra, make our family complete! They are our loves as well as our social life!

Digger and I loved the hours we spent in the golf cart together and have been known to do as many as four movies in one day! We did short term mission trips and led small groups. He was my biggest encourager!

Over the last few weeks the comment that we have heard the most, from so many, is, ‘I always wanted to be like Digger, in his kindness, his strength, his honesty, and love of the Lord!’

Quoting one of Kurt’s friend, “your dad was and always will be larger than life to many people, including me!”

Digger died on September 6, after a very short battle with a very rare, aggressive cancer. Playing his best games of golf, a 41 and 42 a week before entering hospital!

Digger was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers and sister; by my parents and my little brother, who always looked at Digger as a father figure. 

Digger’s legacy lives on in Kurt, Sheli, Xander, and Audra! He is survived by his three brothers; one sister and their families; my two sisters; my sister in-law and their families! Both of our extended families and many, many, friends!

Jesus said it best in Matthew 7:12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.” This is how Digger lived his life. A life well lived! 

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