Memorial
Sharon K. Ryan, 77, of Tiffin, formerly of Waukon, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at her home.
A celebration of life will be held later this summer in Waukon.
Sharon Ryan was born on January 13, 1946, in Waukon, Iowa, the daughter of Forrest James and Gladys Joann (Woolstrum) Ryan. She graduated from St. Patrick High School in Waukon in 1964. She married Bill Wright at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon in 1966. They had 2 children together and were later divorced.
Sharon grew up in the country, from which grew an incredible work ethic and love of the outdoors. She enjoyed telling stories about her childhood and growing up. One memory she loved to share was about riding the family horse, Nellie, to a one room schoolhouse in the country, which she attended for a short time. Most of her education occurred at St. Patrick School in Waukon. She also regaled others with the many adventures she had growing up on the family farm with her siblings, parents, and large extended family. Those were memories that she held precious.
Sharon was very proud to come from a large Irish family and she celebrated her heritage. She loved nature and appreciated the beauty of the outdoors. She also enjoyed reading, astrology, and playing cards. She was interested in homeopathic health and wellness. Sharon loved her pets dearly and would do anything for them. Sharon was a strong, intelligent, and fiercely independent woman. She was spirited, resilient, and determined. She will be remembered as someone who could do anything she set her mind to. She had many skills and was always involved in a project around her home. Family was most important to Sharon, and she cherished time spent together. When parting from those she loved, she insisted on a heart-to-heart hug. She will be dearly missed.
Survivors include her children, Bill (Marla) Wright of Mount Vernon and Shawnett (Coley) Cummings of Marion; 3 grandsons, Jayson (Whitley) Morton, and Travis and Trevor Wright; 2 granddaughters, Lauren and Emily Cummings; 2 great-grandchildren, Elijah and Silas Morton; 2 brothers, Pat (Karran) Ryan of Decorah, IA and Mike (Deede) Ryan of Waukon; 4 sisters, Shirley Heilig of Albany, CA, Darlene Drew of Rochester, MN, Katherine Hogendorn of Solon, IA, Wanda (Chuck) Morrow of Dubuque, IA, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gladys and Forrest Ryan; her brothers, John, Joseph, Rick, and James; her sisters, Mary Ellen and Elizabeth; and brothers-in-law, Dave Hogendorn and Dave Heilig.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a local animal shelter or nature center.