Sharon Eickstedt

Born on April 29, 1944, at the Old Penn Hospital in Norway, Sharon was the beloved daughter of Allan Brown and the former Jeanne Olsen of Vulcan. A 1962 graduate of Vulcan High School, she was both an honor student and the prom queen — early reflections of her intelligence, grace, and warmth.

Following graduation, Sharon attended Michigan State University with aspirations of becoming a doctor. At that time, scholarships and grants for women in medicine were limited, and she left her studies early to begin a new chapter in life. She married the love of her life, Dudley Eickstedt, on Nov. 14, 1964, beginning a marriage that spanned more than six decades and countless shared adventures.

In 1981, Sharon proudly graduated from the Milwaukee County General Hospital School of Nursing, fulfilling a lifelong desire to care for others. She worked at Briggs & Stratton in Milwaukee for several years before devoting more than 20 years of service as a Registered Nurse at Crystal Falls Community Hospital and Iron River Hospital. Her compassion, dedication, and calm strength touched the lives of patients and colleagues alike.

Outside of her work, Sharon was an avid reader who especially loved mysteries — Agatha Christie being her favorite author. She had a deep appreciation for history and spent her retirement years researching and assembling her family tree. Her favorite films included Indiana Jones and the original Star Wars trilogy, which she enjoyed watching with her family.

After many happy years in their dream retirement home in Wisconsin, Sharon and Dudley relocated to Colorado Springs to be closer to family and receive the support and companionship of those they loved most.

Sharon is survived by her devoted husband, Dudley Eickstedt of Colorado Springs; her three children, Donald (Svetlana) Eickstedt of Nashua, N.H.; Daniel Eickstedt of Colorado Springs; and Lynne (Sascha) Lantin of Vulcan. She was a proud grandmother to Samuel Eickstedt of New York City; Dylan, Sofia, and Danielle Eickstedt of Colorado Springs; and Gage Steely of Knoxville, Tenn.; sister, Lynne Smith of Norway; brother, Robert (Donna) Brown of San Bernardino, Calif.; she is also lovingly remembered by her friend, Kelly Fealy of Santa Fe, N.M.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Allan and Jeanne Brown, and her brother, Michael Brown.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Oct. 31, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Ortman Funeral Home in Norway.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 11 a.m. at St. Barbara Catholic Church, with Father Abraham Mupparathara officiating.

Interment will follow at the Norway Township Cemetery.

Sharon will be remembered for her intelligence, kindness, and enduring love for her family — a woman whose quiet strength and generous heart will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Condolences to the family of Sharon may be expressed online at www.ortmanfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements were made with the Ortman Funeral Home in Norway.