Cheryl Krueger Passed Away!

Cheryl Krueger, founder of Cheryl & Co. and C. Krueger Baked Goods passed away.

The founder of a national cookie franchise has passed away from Parkinson's disease.

Cheryl Krueger, founder of Cheryl’s Cookies, died peacefully Saturday morning.

Krueger was the founder of C.Krueger’s Finest Baked Goods and multi-million dollar gourmet gift and food brand Cheryl & Co. Krueger died peacefully Saturday at 3:30 a.m. at the age of 74, following a three-year battle with Parkinson’s, a spokesperson said.

“We need thousands more business owners with Cheryl Krueger’s courage, creativity, compassion and sense of civic duty,” former Ohio Gov. John Kasich wrote in his book “Courage is Contagious.”

Krueger built the brand from a cookie shop based on family recipes to a million-dollar business, transforming it into Cheryl & Co. After decades of entrepreneurship, she sold the business in 2005 for $40 million. In 2018, Krueger came out of retirement to found C.Krueger’s Finest Baked Goods, delivering cookie gift boxes nationwide.

Krueger also led a long career in service and assisting other businesses. She was on the board of directors for Bob Evans, Heartland Bank, Ohio State University, The James Cancer Hospital, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, among others.

A well-decorated entrepreneur, her accolades include a YMCA Woman of Achievement Award and the prestigious James Champion Award from the James. In a statement, her family said “Cheryl measured success not by awards received, but by lives impacted.”

Krueger dedicated much of her time to charity. After Walker died of cancer and Krueger’s son battled with the same disease, she worked to raise money for cancer research and patient care. She also worked closely with the Tressel Family Fund and various food banks, military support causes and student scholarships.

Krueger was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2023 and chose to be public about her diagnosis. She used her business and platform to raise awareness and fund research about the disease.

Krueger’s visitation and funeral will be held on June 19 at Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Service in Gahanna. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to the Cheryl Krueger Memorial Fund at The Columbus Foundation.