Sharon Ann Sponaas

With what would seem to be the best years of her life yet to come, Sharon Ann Sponaas was taken from those she loved much too soon. She was a devoted worker who was passionate about her work and a friend to all who crossed her path, yet it was her roles as a wife and mother for which she will be remembered most. Sharon was a woman of faith whose compassion for those around her was unmatched, and the warmth she gave to those around her was a true gift. Life will never be the same without Sharon here, but the memories she leaves behind will remain forever near and dear to the hearts and lives of the family and friends she cherished each and every day. When we reflect on the decade that is sometimes referred to as the Nifty Fifties, names like Elvis Presley and Hank Aaron come to mind while we remember television shows like Father Knows Best and The Honeymooners. It was as this decade was coming to an end that a young family from Muskegon, Michigan, was preparing for the birth of their fourth child. It was on October 11, 1959, that Sharon Ann made her arrival, joining her three older sisters, Beverly, Linda, and Dianne. Her parents, Walter K. and Bonnie Marie (Casmier) Erxleben, couldnt have been happier and with Sharons birth their family was complete. Sharons father worked as a machinist at Aero Manufacturing Company while her mother was a waitress. In many ways Sharon experienced an upbringing that was rather common for the young people of her generation. She loved playing croquet with her sister, Dianne, and had special friendships with Debby DOyly, Lori Carlson, and Marty Crane. Their family attended St. Thomas Church together and enjoyed memorable trips to the St. Joseph and Benton Harbor areas as well as vacations at Silver Lake. The Erxleben family regularly had cookouts, and movie nights - all with family and friends. Sharon attended Jolman Elementary and Oakridge Junior High. Her high school years found her at Oakridge High School where she played basketball and loved to swim. After graduating from high school in 1977, Sharon went on to Muskegon Community College for two years where she earned her degree in Dental Assisting in June of 1979. With her education behind her, Sharon was able to secure employment working for Dr. Tobin Bailey, DDS where she remained for 32 years. She eventually became the office manager there and was always more than willing to work hard. Although Sharons career was important, there was nothing more precious to her than those she loved. Life was forever changed for Sharon when she met the man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Dennis Sponaas and they met when he was calling Bingo at the Sons of Norway. Sharon was smitten, and she asked him for a date. After dating for a time, the couple was married on April 17, 1993. The couple lived in Apple Carr Trailer Park in Muskegon until Sharon became pregnant and they moved to a home on W. Giles Road on the north side of Muskegon and Dylan, was born on April 10, 1995. With the birth of Anna on April 24, 1997, the couple was overjoyed. With two birthdays and their anniversary so close together, April is always a very busy month in the Sponaas family! From the moment her children were born, Sharon always put the needs of her children ahead of everything else in her life. She loved shopping for them and was always saving every little tidbit they brought home from school, filing everything in the several boxes she stored. Sharon did whatever it took to keep them happy, healthy, and busy with fun activities. She saw to it that there was also plenty of room in their family for time spent together. There were fun-filled vacations to Traverse City, the Wisconsin Dells, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Mackinac City and Mackinaw Island. Sharons children will never forget the times they went to Chicago where they went to the Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, and other places of interest throughout the area. Sharon loved to take her kids to pick apples, pumpkins, and out for the annual Christmas tree hunt when they cut their own tree as well as fall trips to Frankenmuth. Sharon and Dennis shared a deep love for one another. There was one year that he was busy working long hours and happened to temporarily forget about his sweethearts birthday for about two whole weeks. It then took him two years to plan a special surprise to make up for his memory loss, but what he came up with was something Sharon never forgot. He arranged for childcare for the kids for a week around her birthday, and he whisked her away for a trip to Las Vegas. There were so many things that Sharon loved to do throughout her life. She looked forward to hosting family and friends for the holidays when she prepared a fantastic feast and lively card games that usually lasted well into the night. Sharon also treasured her friendships with Dr. Tobin Bailey, Dianne Summerix, Carla Inglis, Janay Jones, Kathy Jewett, and Debbie DOyly. She had a special place in her heart for pets including their current cat, Felix, and their dog, Max. Sharon attended Bethel Reformed Church where she taught Sunday school for a few years when her children were younger. She enjoyed shopping and was always in search of a great deal at yard sales. Through the life of Sharon Ann Sponaas we are reminded that each day is a gift to be treasured, and that it is only through loving others that we are richly blessed. She seized every opportunity to show her family and friends how deeply they were cherished, and she never hesitated to spoil the children she loved more than life itself. Sharon will be deeply missed by those too numerous to count. Sharon Ann Sponaas died on Thursday, September 22, 2011. Sharons family includes her husband, Dennis Sponaas; children Dylan Sponaas, Anna Sponaas, and Jennifer Martinez; grandson, Cruz Martinez; sisters, Dianne Sumerix & Debby D'Oyly; sister-in-law, Sheila Pack; brothers-in-law, Harold Sumerix, Dennis Kuipers, Roy Sponaas and Kevin Sponaas; stepmother, Bonnie Sponaas; nieces Angela Sumerix, Dawn Sumerix, Andrea Sponaas, Shawnette Kuipers and Candice Sponaas; nephews, Eric Sponaas and Scott Sponaas; great-nieces, Brooke Sumerix and Cherease Kuipers; great-nephews, Dakota Sumerix, Alex Davis and Ashton Sumerix. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Linda Gritter and Beverly Kuipers. Services will be held on Monday, September 26, 2011, 11:00 a.m. at Laketon Bethel Reformed Church with Rev. Dr. Sherwin Brantsen officiating and reception to follow. Interment at Mona View Cemetery. Visit with Sharons family and friends on Sunday, 1-3 & 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial donation may be made to: MHP-Johnson Cancer Center. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.