Memorial
Sharon Lee Gravert, 78, of Cedar Rapids, will have a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday September 17, 2026, at St. Matthew Catholic Church by the Rev. Hung Le. Burial will take place at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. A visitation will be held on Wednesday September 16, 2026, from 4-7 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral.
Survivors include her children: Jennifer Henderson of Tipton, Iowa, Jacqueline (Scott) Stuhr of Omaha, Nebraska, Juliet (Theodore) Tenley of Anamosa, Iowa, Joyce (Mathew) Saur of Marion, Iowa, Joanna (Kyle) Fries of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jolene (Christopher) Snyder of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Joseph (Jacqueline) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her Daughter in Law Erika Gravert of Omaha, Nebraska; her grandchildren: Jacob, Veronica, Vanessa, Monica, Courtney, Gabrielle, Rachael, Jackson, Alexandra, Nicole, Tyler, Lily, Kayla, Rozlin, Finnegan, Leopold, Bailey, Carley, Grace, and John; her great grandchildren: Joshua, Izabel, Chloe, Oliver, Parker, Austin, Giovanni, Enzo, Dottie, and Noelle; her siblings: Patricia Chism of San Dimas, CA, Cindie Hopcus of Rowland Heights, CA, and Doug (Trinidad) Lance of Yucca Valley, CA.
She was preceded in death by her husband John Bernard; son, John Christopher; parents Raymond and Elaine Lance; grandparents Hartvick and Margaret Lance, and Anthony and Florence McLevis; and son-in-law, William Henderson, Brothers-in-law, Robert S. Chism, Patsy’s husband, and Michael L. Hopcus, Cindie’s husband.
Sharon Lee Gravert, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and faithful servant of God, passed into eternal life surrounded by the love of her family on September 9, 2026. Born on April 1, 1948, in Duluth, Minnesota, Sharon was the daughter of Raymond and Elaine Lance.
When Sharon was five years old, her parents packed up all they owned and made the long journey to Los Angeles, California. There, alongside her sisters, Patsy and Cindie, and her brother, Doug, Sharon spent her childhood on a unique piece of property that felt a world away from the busy city around it. Raising livestock and surrounded by gardens, fruit trees, and nature's beauty, she developed a lifelong appreciation for God's creation and a knack for making things grow, whether flowers, vegetables, or a family.
Sharon graduated from South Hills High School in 1966 where she excelled at English and loved writing, especially poetry. Shortly after graduation, she shared an apartment with her sister Patsy. That arrangement eventually led to Sharon meeting the love of her life, John "Jack" Bernard Gravert. The two were married on December 21, 1968, beginning a partnership that would span decades and countless adventures.
After spending a few years in both Southern and Northern California, Sharon and Jack settled in Tipton, Iowa, where they raised their family of eight children. Their home was rarely quiet and never short on activity. Space was limited, but love was abundant. Sharon somehow managed to keep everyone fed, clothed, educated, and mostly presentable. Whether she was preparing home-cooked meals, tending her garden, helping with homework, sewing dresses, patching holes, or performing the impossible task of cleaning up after eight children, she did it all with remarkable dedication and unwavering love.
Those who knew Sharon understood that her greatest priority was her faith. As a devoted Catholic, she found joy in prayer, the Sacraments, and sharing God's love with others. Her faith was not something she simply practiced on Sundays; it guided the way she lived every day. Through kindness, humility, compassion, and selfless service, Sharon sought to follow Christ's example and leave the world a little better than she found it.
Sharon was a loving and faithful wife, a devoted mother, a cherished grandmother, and a treasured friend. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. While our hearts ache in her absence, we find comfort in knowing she remains with us in the lessons she taught, the faith she instilled, the gardens she nurtured, and perhaps most of all, in the little notes she seemed to leave everywhere.
Though we will miss finding those notes, we hope we'll keep finding reminders of her love for the rest of our lives.
May she rest in the peace of Christ.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Chris Sagon at UnityPoint Hospice for the extraordinary love, kindness, compassion, and advocacy she provided to Sharon during her final days. Chris cared not only for Sharon, but for her entire family, offering comfort, guidance, and unwavering support, especially to Sharon's children, during a difficult time. Her presence was a true blessing, and our family will forever be grateful for the dignity, peace, and care she helped provide.