A Celebration of Life Service to honor the life and legacy of Cynthia "Cindy" Cihak, age 57, of Jackson, will be held Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Jackson. Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery in Lakefield.

A visitation for Cindy will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Jackson. Visitation will continue on Tuesday, March 3 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Jackson for one hour prior to the service. The service will be livestreamed on the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorial donations in memory of Cindy are preferred to the family.

Cynthia Donnett Schulz Cihak was born to Donald and Carol Schulz on February 22, 1968, at Lakefield Municipal Hospital. She was baptized March 3, 1968 and confirmed on May 23, 1982 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. She grew up in Lakefield and attended Lakefield Public School, graduating with honors in 1986. She then attended Southwestern VTI to become a legal secretary.

Cindy worked part-time at Muir, Meyer, Simons, Costello, Carlson law office in Jackson and also at Colonial Manor in Lakefield. She later taught herself the coding she needed to work as a medical secretary at Jackson Hospital & Clinic. Never afraid to learn something new, she returned to school for cosmetology. She also worked as a bookkeeper for Motor Inn/Coleman Automotive in Spirit Lake. Most recently, she joined Des Moines Valley Health and Human Services as a receptionist.

Cindy was united in marriage to Paul Cihak on August 8, 1998, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lakefield, MN. The Lord blessed this union with three children - Chyenne, Caleb, and Isaiah - whom she adored beyond measure.

Cindy had many interests, but her children always came first. She was a nurturer at heart and cared deeply for her parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews. She celebrated life and family milestones and showed up for every birthday, anniversary, and holiday. She was fiercely loyal, valued honesty, and was extremely protective and supportive of her family. She was generous and always willing to help others. She was outspoken about her faith and beliefs, always putting faith and family first. Cindy loved animals, especially cats, and rescued more than anyone could count.

Cindy passed away on February 21, 2026, at Sanford Jackson Medical Center.

Cindy was preceded in death by her beloved grandparents, Werner and Esther Stoyke and Walter and Loretta Schulz; her godparents, Ellen and Vernon Barkela; her aunts, Janet Lyman and Robin Stoyke; her uncles, Ray Bretzman and Denys Hemen; and her cousins, Mike Barkela and Trenton Stoyke.

Cindy is survived by her husband, Paul; her children, Chyenne, Caleb, and Isaiah; her parents, Donald and Carol Schulz; her siblings, Victoria (Tim) Rossow, April (Justin) Johnson, and Derek (Tricia) Schulz; her aunts, Darlene Hemen and Shirley (Lawrence) Olson; her uncles, David Stoyke (godfather), and Dale (Deyonne) Schulz; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.