Sharon Wernecke

Sharon Belle Wernecke (nee: Jewell), after 82 years on this beautiful earth, went to be with her savior on March 13th, 2025, at St. Catherine's Hospital.

 Sharon Belle Wernecke was born in Winona, MN on January 31st, 1943, to the late Donald B. and Caroline T. (Jorgens) Jewell. She was the youngest of her siblings Richard & Patricia  (Jonsgaard) Jewell. 

She dearly loved growing up in beautiful Winona, MN. She attended local schools before she married the love of her life Wayne Paul Wernecke on November 29, 1959. They moved to Kenosha, WI for Wayne's job at American Motors, later Chrysler.

They were blessed with three beautiful daughters: Laurie Jayne (Steven) Rovik, Shelley Marie (Joseph) Rathkamp, and Erica Leigh (Douglas) Raiman. As well as five grandchildren: Stephanie N. (Jesse) Konell, Steven W (Maggie) Rovik, Alexis C. Rathkamp (fiance Kyle Maier), Rebecca M. and Samantha l. Raiman. Great-Grandsons include Malachi J. And Ezekiel P. Konell; Jase I. and Liam W. Rovik; and Brayden Maier.

After being a stay-at-home mom for 14 years she continued her education at Gateway, Carthage, and UW Parkside colleges. She began working part-time at St. Catherines in the O.B. department taking care of babies, which she loved. After 13 years, she became the church secretary at Bethany Lutheran where all her daughters and four of her grandchildren attended. She retired in 1994 to have more time with her grandchildren.

She had many hobbies, she enjoyed crocheting, knitting, calligraphy, singing, fishing, and playing games.

She said the most enjoyable things were being a sweet Adeline and all the fantastic trips, shows, and competitions she attended often with Wayne. Her favorites were the astrodome in Texas, retreats, banquets, cabarets, and shows at Parkside. She especially liked the opening of the Dairyland Greyhound Park and the EAA Oshkosh Fly In.

Her summer place at Willow Run Resort was her very favorite place to be, fishing offshore or floating on the water. The most fun they had with their group of friends was playing Texas holdem and the many gatherings with these nice people.

She had many great memories of her trips with her family cruises, Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Virginia Beach. But especially when she went back home to Winona. She always cherished all the wonderful family gatherings and costume parties with the most important people in her life. She cherished all her friends, some for more than 60 years, some from grade school, and they still keep in touch.

In 2000, Sharon was generously given the gift of life through a liver transplant, due to medication. Then again in 2006, when her kidneys failed due to medications, her loving husband of 47 years gave her life back by donating his kidney. 

Sharon thanks her dear husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives, and friends that cared about her and for her.

She is preceded in death by her sister Patricia, mother Caroline, father Don, and grandparents.

A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held on March 29th, 2025, at New Life Bethany Somers, (1520 Green Bay Rd, Kenosha, WI 53144).  Visitation will be held from 11am until time of service at 11:50am.  There will be a time of fellowship immediately following service.