Shaffer, Sharon Dee

Sharon Dee Shaffer passed away Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, at the Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha after a five-year battle with kidney failure.

She was the beloved wife of Terry Shaffer; and mother to Stephanie Martinez (Julio), John Shaffer (Karen) and Jason Shaffer (Jenny). She was the doting grandmother to Harrison, Luke, Anna, Ben, Alex and Gigi; and the loving sister of Melanie Raulerson and Nancy Simonis.

She was also a second mother to hundreds of students during her 35-year career as an elementary music teacher in the Linn-Mar School District.

The oldest of four daughters, Sharon was born Jan. 27, 1943, to Richard and Jacqueline Harms of Roselawn Hereford Farms in Alden, Iowa. She founded “The Harms Sisters” quartet with her siblings, who performed many of her original songs in a number of venues, including an appearance on National Public Radio. Sharon continued to actively participate in numerous choral groups throughout her life.

She was a state officer for several organizations, including 4-H, National Honor Society, Order of Rainbow for Girls, and the Junior Hereford Association (of which she was also a founding member).

A graduate of the University of Iowa Music Program, Sharon worked as a piano teacher and music educator for the majority of her career and was a member of the local education association, ISEA and NEA, as well as serving as organist and accompanist for several local churches.

After graduating from college, Sharon married Terry Shaffer at Alden United Methodist Church on Aug. 22, 1965. She and her husband wrote and produced original operettas which inspired the later artistic endeavors of their three children.

Taking pride in her role as a stage mother, she opened her home to rehearsals, cast parties and the general merriment that accompanied her family of “theatre people,” and her home quickly became known as the Shaffer Hotel, a legacy already being carried on by future generations.

After their retirements, Sharon and Terry were known as “Mom and Pop-arazzi” as they visited their children and grandchildren with cameras at the ready. Sharon became an avid Photoshop artist and photo-historian for her family.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, and younger sister, Debbie.

Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 3, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids. A 10 a.m. viewing will be followed by an 11 a.m. memorial service on Saturday, Jan. 4, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids.

Please leave a message or tribute to the Shaffer family on the Web page, www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.

Published Dec. 31, 2013 in The Gazette