Birch, Sharon Kay (Stee) -- 1942 - 2011

BIRCH, STEE, LEE, LAFFERTY, HOLKESVIK, SANDERSON, GOBLE, STAHR, OSMONDSON, OYLOE, FULLER, LANGLAND, PHILIPS, SCHULTE

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 6/19/2012 at 15:58:36

Source: Decorah Public Opinion Apr. 26, 2011

Sharon Kay Birch, 68, of Decorah, passed away Feb. 20, 2011, at Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital from a sudden heart attack. Sharon had decided years ago to donate her body to the Mayo Clinic for research, with the hope that she could help someone with a medical problem in the future. A celebration of her life service is Saturday, April 30, at 2 p.m., at Decorah Lutheran Church with pastors Wayne Hagen and Bryan Robertson officiating.

Sharon Kay (Stee) Birch was born March 12, 1942 in Postville, the daughter of Morton A. and Maythel (Limbeck) Stee. She was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia. While growing up in Decorah, Sharon attended Decorah schools and Decorah Lutheran Church. On June 6, 1959, Sharon was married to Calvin R. Birch at San Diego, Calif. They lived in Wyoming and Oregon, returning to Decorah in 1972. Sharon worked at the Pamida Store, and later was employed at the K&S Super Value (Quillin’s). After retirement, she wanted to stay active, so she shopped for elderly people confined to their homes. This brought her a lot of joy, and she became a friend to many, often helping out with other needs they had.

Sharon especially loved spending time with her family and liked traveling, baking, cooking, music and dance. (she rarely missed a chance to see the Rubber Band) She also enjoyed animals, most recently her little dog, Ted E.

Sharon is survived by her husband of 51 years, Calvin Birch, Decorah; a son, Kevin (Elaine) Birch of Lawler; and three daughters: Valerie Lee, Decorah, (Kevin Lafferty), Darcy Birch, New Milford, Conn., and Kelly (Lowell) Holkesvik of Rochester, Minn.; two grandsons, Cody Sanderson of Cedar Rapids and Jesse Goble of New Milford, Conn.; seven step-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; five sisters: Janet (Tom) Stahr, Hawkeye, Barbara (Gaylord) Osmundson, Cedar Rapids, Linda (Carmen) Oyloe, Vinton, Doris (Tony) Fuller, Maynard and Shirley Langland, Decorah; her aunt; Marge Sanderson, Decorah; sister-in-law, Ann (John) Philips, Lebonan, Ore; and by several nieces and nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Vicky; her son, Kent; her parents, Morton and Maythel Stee; her brother, Robert Stee; and her sister, Debra Stee Schulte.

Sharon is greatly missed by her family and friends.

Transcribed from a newspaper Clipping Submitted By Janice Sowers

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