Obituary of Sharon Joan Anderson

 

Sharon Joan Anderson, 89, of Ames, passed away on April 18th, 2025.

Sharon was born on a farm one mile west of Alexander, Iowa on November 3rd, 1935 to John Schulte and Miram (Packard) Schulte. Sharon enjoyed farm life and often spoke of her cherished lessons growing up; things learned while riding the draft horses into the barn, exploring the grove or climbing the windmill without permission at age five. She graduated from Alexander High School in 1953, then attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where she met Dale Lee Anderson. She graduated in 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in education. Dale and Sharon were married on June 9, 1957. They moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa where she taught elementary school from 1957 to 1967.

In the summer of 1967, the family moved to Ames, Iowa where Sharon soon opened and operated Tree Top Preschool. She taught preschool children from 1969 to 2011. Sharon was a creative and passionate teacher, touching the lives of hundreds of young children as she guided them through their first experience with school. During the summer months from 1968-2000, Dale and Sharon also operated summer camps for teens including sports camps, golf camps and cheerleading camps.

True to her Iowa farm heritage, Sharon was always a hard worker. She and Dale remodeled several beautiful houses during their marriage, and their own home was welcoming and generous to friends and strangers alike. Sharon had the soul of an adventurer, even well into adulthood when she learned to downhill ski, snorkel, and sail. With an unquenchable curiosity for what might be over the next hill, Sharon loved to travel and enjoyed many trips around the country and the world. Closer to home, she also enjoyed history, theater, and gardening. As a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, and served in leadership positions for years.

Her bright blue twinkling eyes will be missed, along with her infectious laugh, warm smile, her comfort cooking, lovely singing voice, her can-do attitude, and daring spirit. Her family and friends are grateful for the time they had with Sharon and they look forward to seeing her again.

Sharon was preceded in death by her husband Dale, her parents John and Miriam Schulte, her sister and siblings-in-law; Edith & Robert McClure, Seibolt Hettinga, and Milt & Audrey Monicken.

She is survived by her four children with two spouses: Marla & Troy Eagen of Rochester MN, Paul & Jo Anderson of Ames, Jim Anderson of Apple Valley MN, and Holly Anderson of Minneapolis MN. Sharon is also survived by eight grandchildren with four spouses and six great grandchildren: Megan & Liz Eagen-Jones (parents of Emrys & Sulien) of Urbana IL, Molly Eagen & Kevin Ellingson (parents of Maz) of Portland OR, Brian & Sarah Eagen (parents of Maeve) of Glendale CA, Laura & Abdi Ahmed (parents of Leya & Ares) of Rochester MN, as well as Nevre C. Anderson, Summer G. Anderson, Kate H. Anderson (children of Jim Anderson and Ivy Hanson) and Jonah D.M. Anderson (child of Holly Anderson) all of Minneapolis. Sharon is also survived by her two sisters and siblings-in-law: Jeanine Hettinga of Van Meter IA, Suzanne & Rockney Bridges of Lake Mills IA, Paul & Carol Anderson of Osage IA, and by her many nieces, nephews and wonderful friends.

 

A funeral service will be held at

St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 209 Colorado Avenue, Ames, IA 50014

on Friday, June 20, 2025 at 11:30 am with a reception to follow.

For those unable to attend you will be able to watch on St. Andrew’s website.

 

In lieu or flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions may be given to Reiman Gardens (memo Sharon Anderson) 1407 University Blvd, Ames, IA 50011; or St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church 209 Colorado, Ames, IA. 50010