Sharon Okerstrom

Sharon Lee (Schell) Okerstrom, 79, went to heaven on December 29th, 2012 after enjoying Christmas week with family and friends at her home near Webster, Wisconsin. She dedicated her life to her family, to her faith and to helping others. Sharon was born to Harvey B. and Zaida Schell on January 17, 1933 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She graduated from Sparta High School in 1950 and attended Ripon College for a year before studying nursing in Chicago. She graduated as a Registered Nurse from the James Ward Thorne School of Nursing, affiliated with Northwestern University, in 1955. While in Chicago, Sharon met Air Force pilot John Okerstrom on a blind date. After that date, she told a friend that they would marry; she said not only was he handsome, but he was tall enough to call her “Shorty.” Sharon and John married on December 8, 1957. They made their first home in the family-owned hotel, which they managed in Bayfield, Wisconsin. In the years that followed Sharon and John raised their family of four boys and one girl, living her dream of having a big family. She built her career in nursing while husband John built his in the hotel and restaurant business. Sharon did much of her professional nursing work at Ambassador Nursing Home in Crystal, Minnesota and later at St. Therese nursing home in New Hope, Minnesota. Sharon also served as director for the new St. Therese Assisted Living Residence in Hopkins, MN. And she put her degree to good use patching up the kids from time to time. Sharon and John built a log cabin on a lake near Webster, Wisconsin. It quickly became a favorite gathering spot for their children and families, just as they had hoped it would. Sharon and John retired to their lake home in 1995 and became active in church, civic and social organizations in Webster. Sharon was instrumental in founding the local Interfaith Caregivers organization. She very much enjoyed being an active member of Yellow Lake Lutheran Church, her golf group, Red Hats, Golden Girls, the lake association and other groups. John passed away in October of 2009. In the years since then, Sharon has been at the center of the supportive and loving family that now celebrates her life. She is survived by: her oldest son Jon; son Thomas, wife Susan, children T.J. and Heidi; son David, wife Vicki, children Erin and Andy; daughter Ellen, husband Tom Nelson, children Tyler, Anna and Jamie; and son Norman, wife Kim, children Teddy and Rachel; plus four great-grandchildren and 11 grand-dogs. Sharon was preceded in death by her husband John Okerstrom; her sister Nancy Goodman and their parents. Visitation for Sharon will be held on Friday, January 4, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Yellow Lake Lutheran Church, Danbury, WI. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2012 at 11:00 AM (visitation 10-11 AM) at the church. Burial will follow at the Oakland Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the family. Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Family Funeral Home, Webster. Online condolences can be made at www.swedberg-taylor.com