Sharon Lynn Small

           Sharon Lynn (Maranell) Small, the daughter of Marlin and Amy (Block) Maranell, was born on June 13, 1947 in rural Archer, Iowa.  Her childhood years were spent in Sanborn, Iowa, where she received her education, graduating from Sanborn High School.  During her high school days, Sharon waited tables and babysat.

            On September 27, 1969, Sharon married Kenneth Small, Jr. and they raised three daughters, Melissa, Terrie, and Heather.  Early in their marriage, they lived in Sheldon, IA, Ord, NE, and later settled in Arnolds Park, IA.  Sharon and Ken divorced in 1987.  Sharon then settled in Spencer, IA with her partner Milton “Muck” Roberts.  They were together close to 30 years until Muck’s death in 2017.  Sharon worked at IBP for 13 years, Spencer Foods, and later retired from working at Pure Fishing for 7 ½ years.  Not one to ever sit still, it did not take long for Sharon to realize that retirement did not really suit her.  She worked part time at Hy-Line, volunteered at the Senior Center, and was presently working at Longhouse Residence in Spencer.  Sharon was a member of Christ The King Lutheran Church in Spencer.  Every September, she looked forward to working at the Clay County Fair taking tickets. She also loved going to horse races and auctions with Muck, taking in a live music performance at the greenspace in Arnolds Park with friends, going to dances, and meeting her coffee friends at Hy Vee, McDonalds, and Burger King.  Sharon especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, attending their various activities, dance recitals, band concerts, plays, and sporting events.  She liked to take them to movies and to the park.

            Sharon passed away at the Spencer Hospital on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at the age of 71.  Left to cherish her memory are her three daughters:  Melissa Weber and her husband Patrick of Spirit Lake, IA, Terrie Nissen and her husband Scott of Spencer, IA, and Heather Nelson and her husband Bryan of Hartley, IA; Eight grandchildren:  Allyson (Andrew) Helmers and Samuel Weber; Kendra and Zack Nissen; Jace, Paige, Kaylee, and Jacob Nelson; one great granddaughter, Nora Helmers; three sisters, Linda Rozeboom of Sanborn, Donna (Don) Olson of Sioux City, Ronda (Gary) Vondra of Fremont, NE; sister in law, Marie Maranell of Carlisle, IA; three brothers, Michael (Patty) Maranell of Papillion, NE, Robert Maranell of Sanborn, and Rick Maranell of Sanborn; nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her partner, Milton “Muck” Roberts;  her sister, Judy Mouw, her brother, Monte Maranell; two brother in laws, Robert Mouw and Leroy “Cork” Rozeboom; nephew, Robert “Robby” Mouw; and granddaughter, Andrea Behrends.

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