She trusted Jesus Christ as her Savior at the age of 13 and was privileged to grow up in a home with brothers Ron and Doug, where the family loved, honored and served the Lord in many ways, including Grace Community Evangelical Church. She attended Merle Beattie Elementary, Irving Junior High and graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School in 1969. After graduation, she went to work for the Nebraska Department of Roads in the Word Processing Center, and was employed there until February 1974, when she became a full-time wife and Mom, which she considered to be the greatest occupation in the world!!
In early 1970, she met her future husband, David, through David’s good friend, Peter Schroeder. Their first date was to a Valentine’s Day banquet. That date began a wonderful, love-filled life together lasting over 53 years. They were married on May 14, 1971, at Temple Baptist Church, and she served faithfully for many years through that church’s various ministries.
On May 9, 1974, Jeremy David was born, followed by Jeffrey Ryan on March 27, 1976, and Jennifer Elizabeth on September 17, 1979. Sharon committed herself to her family and to serving the Lord in a variety of ministries including teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible school, camp counseling, mom’s prayer group, classroom mom, funeral dinner coordinator, hospital visitation, Ladies Bible Studies, church nursery, and the list goes on. She took every one of these ministries seriously and gave all of them 100%. Hours were spent in preparation for every teaching ministry, and she viewed them as very vital, no matter the age of the students.
In 1998, 1999, and 2002, she was introduced to the role of “mother-in-law”, another relationship she dearly loved. Marcy, Sarita and Brad became important to her as she observed their love for her children.
The “icing on the cake” began with the birth of grandchildren. Joel in 2001, Brenna in 2003, Talya and Luke in 2004, Nate in 2005, Andrew and Eli in 2006, Mykaela in 2007, Naomi in 2008, Adyson in 2010 and Sam in 2011. Sharon had a unique relationship with all 11 of them and was just growing a relationship with Sara, her new granddaughter-in-law.
Sharon had a special relationship with all of her family and countless others. The love of God spilled out of her with everyone she met and ministered. Numerous lives were blessed by her life.
She supported David in the various areas of ministry he was involved in and encouraged him to take on whatever he felt God was leading him to do.
The family thanks Sharon’s exceptional medical providers: Dr. Ana Delgado, Dr. Anuj Jain and Prairie Lake Family Medicine. A special thank you to her amazing Tabitha Hospice nurse, Melissa Tucker.
Sharon will be greatly missed by her family. Husband David, children Jeremy (Marcy) of Lincoln, Jeff (Sarita) of Haifa, Israel, and Jenny (Brad) Fincham of Ankeny, Iowa. Grandchildren Joel (Sara) Penrod of Simi Valley, California, Brenna, Luke and Andrew Penrod of Lincoln, Talya, Nate, Naomi and Sam Penrod of Haifa, Israel and Eli, Mykaela and Ady Fincham of Ankeny, Iowa. Brothers Ron (Helen) Nelson and Doug (JoAnn) Nelson of Lincoln. Brothers in-law Val Roloff of Nebraska City, Jim (Kathy) Penrod of Leawood, Kansas and John (Kendra) Penrod of Lincoln. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, her beloved church family at Temple Baptist Church and a host of other friends.
Visitation will be 5:00 – 8:00 PM, Monday, September 25, 2023 at Roper & Sons Funeral Home, 4300 “O” St., Lincoln, NE. Funeral Service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at Temple Baptist Church. 4940 Randolph St., Lincoln, NE.
Sharon’s heart’s desire was that even through her illness and dying, many would come to accept Jesus as their personal Savior. Her confidence of eternity was because of that decision in her life that guaranteed beyond a doubt that when this life ended, she was immediately in the presence of Jesus in heaven!
Memorials may be given to Temple Baptist Church, 4940 Randolph, Lincoln, NE 68510 or Whispering Cedars Baptist Camp, 49794 N. 320th Ave., Genoa, NE 68640.