Memorial

Sharon 'Sheri' C. Gillespie passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2019 at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. A visitation will be on Friday December 13th, 2019 4 to 7pm at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home and Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 1 PM at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories.

Sheri was born July 19, 1947 in Appleton, WI to Dale W Smith and Caroline M. (Tackman) Smith.  Sheri has a brother, Linden D Smith and sister, Lorrie J. Schwartz, both of Glendale, AZ.

Sheri was preceded in death by both parents and son Danny Lee Patten and former husband and great friend Charles Lyle Patten.

Left to cherish many great memories and a lot of laughter with his wife of 35 years is her husband Harley L Gillespie, children Kenny (Monica) Patten, Fairfax, IA, Kim (Ron) Maxheimer, Marion, IA, Janice Patten (widow of Danny) Raeford, NC, Aaron (Kerre) Gillespie, Worden, IL, Nancy (Kevin) Freybler, Webster City, IA, Denice Bennett, Cedar Falls, IA. 18 Grandchildren, 11 Great-grandchildren.

Sheri was a proud member of the Marine Corps (Cpl) 1965-67.  She worked for Linn-Mar High School for 34 years as a teacher’s aide, retiring in 2013.  Sheri assisted in the Science and Business Education Department resource center assisting 8-12 teachers.  She was a great asset to all the teachers and always had time to stop and chat. 

Sheri was a sweetheart, funny, quick with sarcastic remarks, hated using a computer and loved a Budweiser with pizza. These last couple of years have been rough on her,  she lost her youngest son, Danny, to cancer at age 44, battled breast cancer and won, had a bulge in her aorta repaired, had tears in both shoulders repaired and got osteoarthritis. She got a tear in her aorta just below where the bulge was, and the Mayo Clinic tried to figure out how to help her but there was no hope so it was decided to not let her suffer and let her go when her heart finally gave out. Harley and Kenny were with her thank heavens.  We are going to be lost without her. Please pray for strength and peace for our family.

In lieu of flowers, the family has respectfully requested that any memorial contribution be made directed towards the family's discretion.