Sharon N. Nelson

Sharon N. Nelson, age 78, loved the life God gave her, but after a long struggle with cancer she knew Jesus was calling her to His side. She took her last breath on August 9th at her home surrounded by her family. Sharon was born on May 30, 1943, to Bob and Alma Leeson and was raised in Slinger, WI where she graduated from H.S. In 1962 she met the love of her life, Norm Nelson and they settled in Zion, Illinois. After years of being a homemaker, she began her career at the Lake County courthouse as a secretary, to then, County Clerk Grace Mary Stern. From there she moved into Management Services under Randy Murphy, and after 28 years retired from her position as Voice Communications Manager. Retirement, however, didn't mean that life slowed down for Sharon. Every day held purpose and possibility as she enjoyed traveling, serving as a caregiver, hosting Yahtzee game days and card clubs, visiting and "bumming" with family and friends, and transforming her yard into a park-like setting. Though she raised her family at Wesley Church in Waukegan, she felt God's nudge to make Cornerstone Community her church during her retirement years. There she was very active, from helping with the yearly rummage sale, being a member of the women's ministry, attending and hosting bible studies and blessing the nursery with her grandmotherly care. She developed many deep friendships there and her foundation of faith in Jesus grew even stronger. Her relationship with God shaped her life from a very early age, so that she extended joy, grace, and love to everyone she met. God had given Sharon the gift of hospitality and that gift was honed by the practice of "keeping her antennae up" to those around her to whom she could befriend. Though she loved her friends, her truest delight was her family in whom she poured her life and were her pride and joy. Sharon is survived by her daughter Becky (Jerry) Schlosser, sons, Craig (Kate) Nelson and Keith (Ruby) Nelson: grandchildren, Jenna (Brad) Yaun, Jacob Nelson, Kyle Schlosser and Nicole Schlosser; great-grandchildren Brinley, Declan and Oliver Yaun; seven brothers and sisters and spouses, along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Norm, and her parents Visitation will be held Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Cornerstone Community Church, 40413 N. Delany Road, Wadsworth, IL from 9:00 - 11:00 am, followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00 am. Interment immediately following at Mt. Olivet, 1436 Kenosha Road, Zion, Illinois. Memorial contributions can be made to one of Sharon's favorite organizations: Samaritans Purse (Operation Christmas Child), PO Box 3000, Boone, NC. 28607. (Note Sharon Nelson in the memo line) or online at www.samaritanspurse.org/memorial-page/sharon-nelson-winthrop-harbor-il/