Sharon Sue Rose

Sharon Sue (Gilman) Rose passed into eternal rest on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

She was born on November 14, 1940, in La Farge, the seventh of ten children born to Earl and Mae Gilman. Sharon grew up on the family farm, honing a work ethic that would be the envy of any three men combined. She learned to do a lot with a little, appreciate every blessing, honor her parents, and love the life she was given. There were stories of lean times and hardship, but there were far, far more of good times, laughter, food, mischief, euchre games that to this day remain legend, and love.

She attended elementary school in Fairview and enjoyed the long run home—all downhill, and most days, those short legs led the pack the whole way. She graduated from La Farge High School, class of 1958.

Her entire life, Sharon loved good music and dancing. It’s not surprising then, that she first laid eyes on the man she would fall in love with and eventually marry, Ward Rose, at Danceland. Her brother Pete would occasionally let her tag along on a night on the town after promising their mother he would not go to the bar in Rockton; Mae didn’t like the thought of him driving on that twisty road. True to his word, they did not go to Rockton and dutifully passed it by on their way to Ontario.

On July 11th, 1959, Ward and Sharon were married at the parsonage in West Lima. They were very well matched when it came to a strong work ethic, a persistent nature, a slight stubborn streak, and the desire and will to create a good life for their family. During their years together, they owned working farms near La Farge and Rockton, and in 1963, they bought the hardware store, running it for 25 years.

Sharon was proud of her hometown and made time to get involved in many community projects; the beautification of Main Street initiative, Girl Scouts, the Bicentennial celebration, and the creation of floats for countless parades are just a few. She also worked diligently with several pillars of the community in staunch support of the La Farge Lake and Dam project.

These occasions often allowed her to draw on her many artistic talents. She got in line twice when they were passing out those skills. She could draw, paint, embroider, quilt, was a calligrapher, wove baskets, worked in stained glass, created beautiful flower gardens, and enjoyed the challenge of simply trying something new.

After Ward passed away in 1986, she sold the store and went to work for S & S Cycle in Viola, until she retired. She was blessed to find love again in her life and married Charlie Drew on September 12, 2002. Throughout their life together, they traveled, enjoyed old-time country music, dancing, euchre, fishing along the Mississippi, and time spent with many good friends and family. They eventually moved to Kearney, MO, near her son, Wayne. When Charlie passed, Sharon moved back to Wisconsin. Sadly, at this point in her life, she was suffering from Alzheimer’s and spent her remaining years in care near her daughter, Cheryl.

Left to honor Sharon’s memory are her children: Wayne (Ann) of Liberty, MO, Cheryl (Bill) Wilder of Coloma, WI, Ardeen (Fred) Stoll of Maple, WI, and stepson, Randy (Mary) Rose of Colorado Springs, CO. She is further survived by eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and sibling, Valdo “Pete” (Shirley) Gilman.

She was preceded in death by Ward, her husband of 27 years; Charlie, her husband of 17 years; her parents; siblings: Earl Gilman Jr., Virgil Gilman, Iva Lea McCollough, Shirley Marshall, William “Bill” Gilman, and DeAnna Johnson; and infant twin sisters, Rita and Rae Gilman.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the excellent staff at Dimensions Living in Stevens Point and in particular to the cast of extraordinary people dedicated to helping her and her family through some difficult days.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Vosseteig Funeral Home in La Farge. A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. Sharon will be laid to rest at the Bear Creek Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred given to the La Farge Fire Department, La Farge Ambulance Service, or a charity of your choice.

Vosseteig Funeral Home and Crematory in La Farge is serving Sharon's family.

203 N. State Street

La Farge, WI 54639

(608) 625-4244