NWA F/A Cheryl Katherine (Crothers) Walbaum, wife of NWA Capt. Wally Walbaum

~ IN MEMORY ~

NWA F/A Cheryl Katherine (Crothers) Walbaum, wife of NWA Capt. Wally Walbaum  

November 12, 1947- July 27, 2020

From the RNPA group….news with the passing of Cheryl Walbaum, wife of retired Northwest Airlines pilot Captain Raney Wallace Walbaum.  Cheryl began her flying career with Northwest Airlines 06-26-1969. Cheryl is survived by her husband Wally, and her sisters and her stepdaughters.  Obituary information is available online at

https://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/kalamazoo/obituary.aspx?n=cheryl-walbaum-crothers&pid=196683217#_ga=2.166886014.1993406916.1597681472-794089198.1583354272

For those wishing to send condolences, cards may be sent to Capt. Wally Walbaum at

  44 Via Alicia, Santa Barbara, CA 93108

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN

Obituary………………….

 Cheryl Katherine (Crothers) Walbaum, 72, passed away July 27, 2020 at her home in Santa Barbara, California, after a long and brave battle with Parkinson's Disease. Cheryl was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but spent most of her childhood in Parchment, Michigan. She graduated from Parchment High School in 1966 and attended Northern Michigan University. She worked as a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines (Delta Airlines) from 1969 to 1986. During her career with NWA, she was also a flight attendant for the Chicago Bears. While employed by NWA, she was based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1985 Cheryl married Raney (Wally) Walbaum, and they settled in Santa Barbara, California. Cheryl became the glue that held her tight-knit neighborhood together. Cheryl was a bright light to all who knew her. Always the life of the party, she loved to entertain, and did so often. Her family brought her great joy, and she cherished family trips to her cottage in northern Michigan on Lake Superior. Going back to Parchment to reunite with old friends was also a highlight for her. We will all miss Cheryl's sparkle, sense of humor and love of life. Cheryl is survived by her husband, Wally, her sisters Barbara (Dave) Schumacher and Janet (Michael) Smith, her stepdaughters Kim and Jodi, nieces Megan (Dan) Jimenez and Kirstin (Andy) Gallas, nephews Case (Julia) Weston and Joel (Laura) Weston, one great-niece and five great-nephews.