Sharon Kay Wasson Van Ness, 86, died Nov. 8, 2024, surrounded by her family, and with her beloved long-haired mini dachshund curled into her side.
Born July 31, 1938, Sharon Kay Wasson married Earl Dean Van Ness at The Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua in 1963. They welcomed their son Michael in 1965 and son David was born in 1968.
Sharon was an accomplished baker and cook, always on the hunt for a new recipe to try. Eventually, she turned her culinary skills into a business, baking and decorating cakes and cookies and making butter mints for hundreds of birthday parties, graduations, holidays, and events in Mediapolis and the surrounding communities over the years.
Sharon was an animal lover, especially fond of dogs, hummingbirds, and cats. She enjoyed doing word search puzzles, going to garage sales and flea markets, and reading western and cowboy romance novels. She had several specialty collections, including fancy handkerchiefs, antique hat pins, and ladies’ antique gloves.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, a beloved daughter-in-law, and two nieces. She is survived by her husband Dean Van Ness, her sons Michael (Dianne) Van Ness and David (Shawna) Van Ness, her brother Wayne (Irene) Wasson, her sister-in-law Annalou Vigil, four grandchildren: Cara (Clayton) Thacker, Blake Van Ness, Delaney (Jeremiah) Carter, and Ellerie Van Ness, four great-grandchildren: Kayden, Kendall, Bennett and Emersyn, as well as many nieces and nephews and, of course, her beloved dog, Cleopatra.
In accordance with Sharon's wishes, there will be no funeral or visitation, and her body will be cremated. Memorial gifts may be sent to Great River Hospice House.
Lunning Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.