CROFTON — Sharon Rose Wieseler, 81, Crofton, died April 23, 2024, at her home after a short courageous battle with cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial was April 29 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, St. Helena, with Rev. Eric Olsen officiating.

Visitation, with a wake and rosary service, were April 28 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and resumed one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial was at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, St. Helena.

Pallbearers were her grandsons, Brandan Backman, Michael Ekeren, Trevor Arens, Trent Arens, Brett Backman, Bryant Backman, Tristan Wieseler, Jalen Wieseler, Landon Wieseler, Peyton Wieseler, Carson Wieseler, Noah Wieseler, Ethan Wieseler and Rylan Wieseler.

Honorary pallbearers were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Onsite Crematory assisted the family with arrangements. A livestreaming of Sharon’s services may be found at: https://my.gather.app/remember/sharon-wieseler.

Sharon was born Nov. 9, 1942, on the family farm of Otto and Leone Leise. She grew up on the family farm, where she learned the value of hard work. Sharon graduated from Mount Marty High School in May 1961, and went on to beautician school in Sioux Falls, S.D. She married Arthur “Artie” Wieseler, Oct. 13, 1962, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Constance. Sharon managed her own beauty salon until she tran-sitioned to helping her husband on the farm full time and raising their children.

Sharon lived a simple life. Her family, practicing her Faith daily, and loving others enriched her days. She was an active member of the Altar Society and Christian Mothers. She cared for adults with disabilities for more than 25 years. She was passionate about taking the ‘dis’ out of disabilities and focusing on the unique ‘abilities’ of those she served. She had a special healing touch, a patient mind, and a deeply empathetic heart. Those closest to her knew Sharon to be warm-hearted, strong-willed, intelligent, witty, deeply compassionate, and having a contagious smile.

In Sharon’s free time, she enjoyed gardening, flowers, vegetables, peppers; sending family, friends and neighbors cards for any event; playing cards and cribbage; watching her grandchildren participating in high school and college sports; and scrapbooking. She lived life to its fullest.

Sharon is survived by six of her eight children, Carmen (Jude) Backman, Appleton, Wis.; Karen (Doug) Ekeren, Yankton, S.D.; Dean Wieseler, Crofton; Joselyn (Gary) Arens, Crofton; Steven (Tammy) Wieseler, Wynot; and Luke (Kari) Wieseler, Creston; special godson, Mike Leise, Fremont; 22 grandchildren, two step grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren, with another due in May; two step great-grandchildren, and two step great-greatgrandchildren; her sisters, Joselyn (John) Flynn, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Juli Ann (Scott) Toner, Chicago, Ill.; Del Rae Heine, Sioux Falls, S.D.; her brother, Clair (Judy) Leise, Omaha; and sister-in-law, Rosie Wieseler, Hartington.

Sharon was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Wieseler, Jan. 17, 2001, at the age of 63; her parents, Otto and Leone Leise; siblings and their spouse, Charles and Carol Leise, and Donald Leise; many brothers-inlaw and sisters-in law; her daughters, Monica and Mary; daughter-in-law, Susan Wieseler; and her granddaughter, Breanna Backman.