Sharon Kay Freese

Sharon Kay Freese, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, stepsister, and friend, passed away after a life marked by strength, perseverance, humor, and an unwavering love for her family. She was born on August 20, 1945, in Freeport, Illinois, to Floyd Miller and Sarah Jane Myers.

As a young woman, Sharon was crowned Miss Warren Fair, a distinction that reflected the beauty and personality that would remain part of her character throughout her life. She also enjoyed playing the accordion, bringing music and entertainment to those around her.

Sharon married Richard Wesley Freese on December 21, 1963. They later divorced, but together they raised four children: Todd Bryan, Troy Darin, Chad Eric, and Kimberly Michelle.

Sharon was a fierce woman who spoke her mind. She was never afraid to tell you exactly what she thought. Those who knew her best will remember her strong opinions, determined spirit, quick wit, and unmistakable personality. She could be strong-willed and outspoken, but beneath that fierceness was a woman who cared deeply about the people she loved.

Sharon was also an independent and hardworking woman. She owned and operated her own house-cleaning business, taking pride in her work and in being able to make her own way. Her determination and work ethic were qualities she carried throughout her life.

Family was one of the great joys of Sharon's life. She made it a priority to keep up with her children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends. She stayed connected through countless phone calls, photographs, and never missed sending a birthday card. Then, later in life, she even went to Facebook. She wanted to know what everyone was doing, where they were going, and what was happening in their lives. She was, in many ways, the family’s unofficial news service.

Sharon loved playing cards, especially euchre. She played to win—and she was not above bending the rules a little if it helped her cause. Of course, Sharon would have strongly objected to the suggestion that she ever cheated. In her mind, she simply had a different interpretation of the rules. Those who played cards with her will remember the laughter, the competition, and probably a few arguments about whether or not she was actually cheating.

She was a devoted Denver Broncos fan and enjoyed watching westerns. She appreciated the simple pleasures of life: a good card game, a good western, following her favorite football team, and, most of all, keeping up with the people she loved.

Sharon's life was also a testament to strength and perseverance. She overcame an addiction to alcohol and maintained approximately 30 years of sobriety, an accomplishment that reflected tremendous courage, determination, and strength. She was also a cancer survivor, facing that challenge with the same fighting spirit that characterized so much of her life.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd Miller and Sarah Jane Myers; Richard Wesley Freese; and her son, Chad Eric Freese.

She leaves behind a family who will carry her memory forward: her children, Todd Bryan Freese, Troy Darin Freese, and Kimberly Michelle Bales her daughters-in-law, Melissa Freese and Brandie Freese; her son-in-law, Brandon Bales; her stepsister, Donna of Warren, Illinois; ten grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

Sharon's life was not without its struggles, but she faced them honestly and fought her way through them. She loved fiercely, spoke honestly, worked hard, laughed often, played cards competitively, followed her Broncos, enjoyed her westerns, and kept tabs on everyone she loved.

Her family will miss the phone calls, the photographs, the stories, the opinions, the laughter, and even the questionable euchre plays. They will miss knowing that Sharon was keeping up with them—and making sure they knew she was keeping up with them.

Most of all, they will miss her.