Co-Founder behind one of Columbus’ most iconic food brands dies at 74
Cheryl L. Krueger, the Columbus entrepreneur behind two beloved baked goods companies, and one of Ohio’s most recognized business leaders, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2026. She was 74 years old.
Cheryl Krueger leaves behind a legacy of service, and some of the most recognizable brands in Ohio. Krueger co-founded Cheryl’s Cookies in Columbus in 1981, alongside her college roommate Carol Walker. What started as a small project later grew into Cheryl & Co., a nationally recognized gourmet gift brand serving millions of customers through retail, catalog, and e-commerce before she and her husband Jim sold the company in 2005. She went on to found C.Krueger’s Finest Baked Goods in 2018. The company posted a touching tribute to Cheryl via social media.
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The post reads “Today, we honor the life and legacy of Cheryl L. Krueger—entrepreneur, mentor, philanthropist, and visionary founder of Cheryl’s Cookies and C.Krueger’s Finest Baked Goods. From a small cookie shop in Columbus to building two beloved brands, Cheryl’s life was defined by courage, innovation, generosity, and an unwavering belief in people. She inspired countless entrepreneurs, championed charitable causes, supported cancer and Parkinson’s research, and devoted herself to helping others succeed. Most recently, Cheryl served as CEO Emeritus of C.Krueger’s Finest Baked Goods, continuing to guide and inspire the company she helped build with her wisdom, faith, and passion for excellence. Her legacy lives on in the businesses she created, the communities she strengthened, and the countless lives she touched through her kindness, leadership, and servant’s heart. Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Krueger’s extensive philanthropy focused on Parkinson’s research, cancer research, scholarships, food banks, and uplifting the Central Ohio community in so many ways. In 2023, Krueger publicly shared her Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, later partnering with the Michael J. Fox Foundation through C.Krueger’s to raise awareness and funding for research.
You can read the full obituary here. Her legacy lives on through C.Krueger’s Finest Baked Goods and the countless Columbus-area lives she touched over more than four decades in business and philanthropy.
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