Sharon Mae Ryan was born March 14, 1940, in Claremont, Minnesota, to George and Patricia Chladek. She was the second child of a farm family of 14. She graduated from Claremont High School in 1958 and met her husband-to-be, Jim, at her senior homecoming dance. They did not attend the dance together, but Sharon would quip that after their first dance together, she knew Jim was going to ask her out on a date. Jim did ask and they were married the next fall on Nov. 8, 1958, in St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Claremont.
Just before getting married, Sharon moved to Rochester, Minnesota, where she worked as a telephone switch board operator. The young couple lived in Rochester for several years and then moved to West Concord, where they farmed with Jim’s dad and their five sons spent their early years. Besides caring for her family, Sharon was active in the St Vincent DePaul Catholic church with ladies groups and as a children’s teacher and at the West Concord Public School tutoring kids with reading, math issues and special needs. She loved this work very much. She did not pursue being a teacher professionally, but she had the heart, the mind and the grace of a teacher throughout her life.
Their next move was to West Branch, Iowa, for a short time and then to Manson, Iowa, where Jim had a job at the Land 'O Lakes offices in Ft Dodge. In Manson, her young boys grew up and their three oldest sons graduated from Manson High School. She relished her time as a stay-at-home mom, caring for her boys and her husband. She knew the importance of her work and the investment she was making. Throughout her life, Sharon collected quotes and scripture that were inspiring and wrote them on slips of paper, posting them throughout her home for her boys growing up and eventually would do the same for the Friend paper when she was the editor. She never stopped finding words that would fill her thoughts with inspiration and love and you can find her posted notes in her home today.
Sharon and Jim moved to Friend in 1979, where Jim and his brother, Jerry, started Brother’s Equipment. Friend has become their home and she has held this community and its people close to her heart. Sharon was always ready to serve and helped with funerals, soup suppers and started a bible study group at St Joseph’s Church. She volunteered at the elementary school, waitressed at the Green Top and was also the editor of the Friend Sentinel Newspaper for a number of years. Their youngest two sons graduated from Friend High School.
There were so many ways Sharon shared and loved without limit. Sharon was her son Jon’s chauffeur during his long struggle and eventual death from cancer. She counted the time she had with him as a blessing as they laughed and cried together. One of her favorite hobbies was having lots of flowers in the summer and house plants, she said her dad told her she could put a stick in the ground and it would bloom and time after time she proved that was true. Sharon loved to send cards and she always remembered to send birthday, Christmas and anniversary cards to all the members of her family over the many years. Christmas Eve was her special family gathering with the most important part having the grandchildren read the bible Christmas story and sing happy birthday to Jesus and blow out the candles on his birthday cake. It was a beautiful memory each of her kids and grandkids have and they all have had their times where they read the story.
Sharon loved her sisters and brothers very much and she loved spending time with them or talking to them on the phone. Her family is a legacy of her gifts and grace. We will miss our sister, our mom, our wife and our friend dearly, but rejoice she is in Heaven at the feet of Our Father. We wait until the day we can see her again.
Sharon is survived by her husband of 62 years, Jim Ryan; her son, Steve and wife Carla of Friend, son, Paul and wife Valerie of Omaha, son, Pat and wife Kirby of Kansas City; daughter-in-law, Phyllis of Lincoln; son, Jeff and wife Tori of Lincoln, 17 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Sharon is also survived by four brothers; Timothy Chladek of Rochester, Lawrence Chladek of Sacramento California, Gregory Chladek of Clayton Wisconsin, and David Chladek of West Concord Minnesota; her seven sisters; Karen Horsman of Rochester, Constance and husband Jack Weilti of Plainview Minnesota, Bernice and husband George Edmond of Dallas Wiscdonsin, Annalee Baumgartner of West Concord, Diane and husband Jerry Gottschalk of Bryon Minnesota, Kristine Chladek of Rochester and Cindy Chladek of Charlotte North Carolina.
Sharon was proceeded in death by her son, Jonathon Ryan; her parents, George and Patricia Chladek; her brothers, Terrance Chladek, Clarence Chladek and Richard Chladek.
A funeral service was Dec. 28 at St Joseph's Catholic Church, Friend. Burial will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions are suggested in care of the family for future designation. Condolences may be left for the family at www.lauberfh.com.
