Sharp, Wilma Ruthe

Wilma Ruthe Sharp, 96, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, at RidgeView Assisted Living. Funeral Mass will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, with visitation beginning an hour prior, at St. Jude Catholic Church with the Rev. Mark Reasoner. Entombment will be held at Linwood Cemetery. Entrusted with the arrangements is Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Wilma Ruthe “Billie” Hindahl was born Dec. 21, 1916, near Washington, Iowa, to John and Anna (Miller) Hindahl.

Wilma and Leo Sharp were married Aug. 18, 1937, at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church rectory in Richmond, Iowa, and lived on a farm south of Richmond for several years. Wilma and Leo loved to travel and experience life in different communities. They enjoyed ballroom dancing as well as square dancing and frequently attended the National Square Dancing Conventions. They also loved to bowl and play cards with their many friends and family. They lived in California and Colorado, returning to Iowa to be close to family when Leo's health began to fail.

Wilma enjoyed playing bingo, working on crosswords and daily reading of her well-worn Bible. During her younger years she enjoyed spending time in her flower and vegetable gardens. She canned many harvests of strawberries, sweet corn, beans and other vegetables, and baked a great cherry pie.

Wilma was a supportive, caring and loving woman, as well as a strong religious mother who loved family gatherings. She was a great listener, hard worker, with a positive attitude and a smile on her face. Fond memories will last a lifetime for all who knew her.

Wilma is survived by four sons, Larry Sharp (Claire) of Cedar Rapids, Jim Sharp (Pam) of Marion, and Ron Sharp (Julie) and Dennis Sharp (Chris) of Arizona; 10 grandchildren, Daniel (Shelley) Sharp, Joni (Al) Keller, Julie (Rich) Shebek, Jill (Scott) McDermott, Michael (Micaela) Sharp, Andrea (Glen) Kothe Sharp, Rick Sharp, Michelle Knox, Nicole Sharp, and Ryan Sharp; great-grandchildren, Jon and Mitch Keller, Josh (Sarah) and Matt Shebek, Ben, Adam and Ellie McDermott, Elizabeth Kothe Sharp, Alex Sharp, Hailei and Dakota Pettit, and James Ansell III; great-great-granddaughter, Madison Shebek; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo, on Jan. 23, 1996; three sisters. Agnes Beliel, Florence Rounds, and Frances Bales; and granddaughter, Shauna Sharp.

Instead of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Discovery Living Inc., Camp Courageous, or a charity of your choice.

The family extends a thank you to the Ridgeview staff and Hospice for the care and comfort given to Wilma. Special thank you to Harvey and Ellie Denlinger for their wonderful visits and talks with our mother.

Please leave a message, tribute or memory to Wilma's family on our website, under Obituaries.

Published Nov. 25, 2013, in The Gazette