Sharon Julia Woodford

    Sharon Julia Woodford was born on February 7, 1938, to Raymond & Marget Olson in Sioux Rapids, Iowa and baptized at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Rapids on June 26, 1938. She was the oldest of 3 children and raised on a farm near Webb. Sharon graduated from Cornell High School in 1956. After high school she attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls for a one year secretarial program. Following graduation she worked in Sioux Falls and it was then that she started dating Roydal Woodford who she knew from high school.

     Roydal & Sharon were married April 27, 1958, in Sioux Rapids. Together they shared a wonderful, faith-filled life of 63 years. They made their first home outside of Sioux Rapids on a farm,  and it was there that they welcomed three daughters - Pam, Julie, and Nancy. While she loved her brothers, she frequently commented that she always wanted a sister and was thrilled to have been blessed with three daughters. Home was filled with love, caring, forgiveness, humor and hard work. In 1977, they moved to a farm near Linn Grove and enjoyed life together there for the next 22 years.

    Sharon worked side by side with Roydal on the farm and made their house a home.  She was willing to do anything on the farm with Roydal except pull pigs. She had a green thumb and enjoyed working in the garden as well as caring for plants indoors and out. She was a wonderful cook and baker and known for her cinnamon rolls, pies and home canning and gardening.  She loved chocolate, sweets and coffee. Sharon was an excellent seamstress and sewed many clothes for herself and her girls when they were young.  She learned to play the piano as a child, played for piano contests in high school and instilled the love of music in her three daughters. She was active in her church homes.

     In 1987 Sharon started working at First State Bank in Sioux Rapids and worked there until retirement in 2001. She truly loved her job and the people she encountered each day. In 1999 they moved from the farm near Linn Grove to Spencer and have made their home there since.

     Roydal and Sharon enjoyed dancing, square dancing, playing cards and many trips together including train trips to Glacier and the Grand Canyon. Most of all they enjoyed people, friends old and new, talking and visiting. One of Sharon’s greatest joys was being a grandma and great grandma. She beamed whenever there was a child in her arms. She and Roydal enjoyed many visits, overnight stays, and trips to see their grandchildren over the years, and loved telling stories of memories of each of them. Each of her grandchildren, their spouses, and great grandchildren were loved dearly and held a special place in her heart.  

     Most of all, Sharon loved and feared her Lord. Though her earthly body was tired, we can rest assured that she is now pain free and safely in the arms of Jesus.  

     Sharon is survived by her loving husband, Roydal, daughters Pam & Dan Walck of Urbandale, Julie & Mitch Stephenson of Morristown, MN, and Nancy & Steve Benson of Owatonna, MN, nine grandchildren, and six great grandchildren, Aaron (& Kristen) Walck (Ethan, James & Natalie), Chris Walck, Meghan (& Skyller) Stickfort (Will & Lenore), Rachael (& Nick) Bartschat, Collin (& Jenna) Stephenson (Brynn & Jaycie), Kelsey (& Tanner) Lemmon, Eric Benson, Michelle Benson, Rachel Benson.  Other survivors include, brothers, Larry (Pat) Olson of Port Charlotte, FL and Norman (Judy) Olson of Spencer, IA, sister-in-law, Beverly (Bob) Stewart of Spencer, IA, and many nieces and nephews.

     In honor of the many compassionate medical professionals that have cared for Sharon and her love of music, memorials will be used to create a college scholarship in her name for a local student to pursue one of these fields.  

SERVICES

OFFICIATING

CASKET BEARERS

VISITATION

MUSIC

INTERMENT