Chere Yamasaki 6/26/1942 - 4/29/2025

A diligent unmasker of welfare fraud whose creative side emerged in a lifelong love of sewing, Sheryl Louise Wiebers "Chere" Yamasaki died April 29, 2025. She was 82. As a welfare fraud investigator during a Placer County Welfare Department career spanning five decades, from 1969 to 2005, Chere carried a firearm and played a key role in gaining convictions in some of the county's biggest fraud cases. In 1989, she was in court to help prosecute what then was considered the biggest welfare fraud case in the county's history up to that time. A couple drawing welfare as far back as 1975 were convicted of illegally obtaining government funding while keeping secret their ownership of a Marysville welding and blacksmith shop. Over several years, they illegally obtained $104,000 in county welfare checks, falsely claiming they were disabled and destitute. "She felt she was righting a wrong, stopping people stealing from people that needed help," her son, Don Chesney said. Chere Yamasaki's penchant for fashioning sewing projects into art started early. A 1959 Auburn Journal article reports on a regional win in the "Make Yourself With Wool" contest sponsored by the National Wool Bureau and Cal-Wool Marketing Association. She would be a runner-up in the statewide division, traveling to Los Angeles with her handmade, prize-winning black wool dress. Bob Haydon, Chere's brother-in-law, said she created over 175 quilts, often giving them as gifts to family and friends. Designs were creative, inspired by events and places. Many are on display through May 28 at Auburn City Hall. Chere was married to well-known horticulturist Don Yamasaki. The couple formed a dynamic on-air team on Auburn's KAHI radio station, hosting a popular Saturday morning "Garden Guru" gardening advice show for many years. Chere was born Sheryl Wiebers on June 26, 1942 in Fargo, North Dakota. Her mother, Mabel Wiebers, worked as a nurse at Auburn's Highland Hospital and Auburn Faith Hospital. Chere attended Auburn Elementary School, E.V. Cain Middle School, Placer High School and Sierra College. A previous marriage ended in divorce and Chere was already at the start of her career with the county in 1971, raising two young children, when Haydon encouraged Don Yamasaki to invite his sister-in-law to a 20-30 Club beach barbecue on the American River. The two were married in 1972. Initially Don and Chere Yamasaki lived in Auburn. They moved to rural Newcastle after the Yamasaki Nursery in North Auburn was sold in the early 1990s. Chere died of esophageal cancer in Roseville surrounded by family members. As well as her husband, Don, and son, Don, Chere is survived by a daughter, Kim Everhart, three grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and her sister Connie Haydon. A private family service was held.