Sharon Koerner, 71

Sharon Koerner, 71, of Freeman passed away on Nov. 29th at Oakview Terrace in Freeman. Funeral Services will be Saturday, Dec. 9th, at the Freeman High School Gym at 2 pm. Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 8th, from 5-7 pm at the Walter’s Funeral Home in Freeman.

Sharon Kay Koerner was born on May 10, 1952, in Yankton, South Dakota to Albert and Mabel (Gering) Graber. On June 8, 1969, she was baptized by Rev. Paul Roth at the Salem Mennonite Church in Freeman, SD. She attended country school District 95 through eighth grade. Sharon then attended and graduated from Freeman Academy and Freeman Junior College.

Sharon and Herb Koerner Jr. were married on August 8, 1981, at the Salem Mennonite Church by Rev. Roland Gering. This union was blessed by one son, Herb III.

At a young age, Sharon worked for her grandfather, John C. Gering, and her uncle, Glen Gering, at Pine Hill Printery. She worked at Pine Hill printery until it was sold in 1988.

Sharon was also an assistant manager at Ampride for seven years and head checker at the Freeman Shopping Center for 14 years.

Sharon was very musical and sang in several Swiss Choral Society concerts. She also performed in a few Schmeckfest musicals. Sharon also sang duets with Twyla Mehlhaf in area churches. She was instrumental in helping her son’s quartet, the Journeymen, make a CD.

Sharon was a member of the Salem Mennonite Church until 1981 when she transferred her membership to the Zion Reformed Church in Menno, SD and then to the Bethlehem Church in Freeman. In, 2021, she became a member of the Freeman Missionary Church.

Sharon enjoyed traveling across the United States with her husband to attend Jaycee and JCI Senate Conventions. She made many friends across the country. She really enjoyed traveling Oregon to Florida with her husband and their close friends, Tom and Marilyn Brickbauer from Kiel, WI. In 1999, Sharon was awarded Honorary Senatorship #4 by the South Dakota JCI Senate. In 2008, Sharon was honored with Friendship Award #16 from the United States JCI Senate.

Sharon is survived by her husband, Herb Jr.; her son, Herb III and wife Alexa or Sioux Falls, SD; grandsons, Hudson and Cooper of Sioux Falls, SD; brother, Terry Graber and wife Chris of Newton, KS; nephew, Monty Graber and wife Hope of Newton, KS; niece, Allison Graber and Julius Salas of Newton, KS; and great-nephews Nikolas, Ian, and Andrew Graber of Newton, KS; and sister-in-law, Kathy Graber of Freeman, SD.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Mabel; brothers, Lawrence and DeWayne; and in-laws, Herb Sr. and Viola Koerner.