SHARON K. GNADE

1949-2023

Sharon Kay Gnade, one of seven children of Fritz and Esther (Meyer) Dieckhoff, was born May 30, 1949, at Auburn, Nebraska. Sharon grew up on the family farm near Elk Creek and attended Hawthorne School District #30 near their home and then Elk Creek High School, graduating with the class of 1967. After high school, Sharon got her teaching degree from Peru State College, and also attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Sharon was baptized and confirmed at Martin Luther Lutheran Church south of Johnson.

On August 21, 1971, Sharon was united in marriage to James Gnade at Martin Luther Lutheran Church. The union would be blessed with two children: Travis and Rachel.

Sharon began her teaching career at Southeast Consolidated Schools in Stella, Nebraska as an English teacher. She then taught English at Humboldt, and Peru State College. After retiring from teaching, Sharon worked for Region V Services in Auburn.

After her marriage to Jim, Sharon became a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn. She loved reading, and watching any sporting event, especially baseball.

On Tuesday, June 20, 2023, Sharon passed away at Bryan Medical Center East Campus in Lincoln, Nebraska, 21 days after her 74th birthday. She was preceded in death by her parents, mother-in-law Mary Anna Gnade, brothers Arnold (Sharon) Dieckhoff, LaVern Dieckhoff, Ralph Dieckhoff, sister Carolyn (Dallas) Brehm, and brother-in-law Robert Gnade.

Those left to mourn her passing include her husband Jim of Auburn; son and daughter- in-law Travis and Misty Gnade of St. Louis; daughter and son-in-law Rachel and Michael Custer of Kansas City; grandchildren Gabrielle, Blake, and Grant Custer, Katie and Carson Gnade; sisters Eleanor (Larry) Hart of Burchard, Linda (Roger) Vogel of Grand Island; sisters-in-law Carol Dieckhoff of Commerce, OK, Donna Dieckhoff of Tecumseh, Rae Ann Falk of Auburn, Jeannie Morava of Little Rock, AR, Sally Lavigne of Auburn; brother-in-law Steven (Joyce) Gnade of Fort Worth, TX; special friends Ed and Jackie Myers; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A memorial service was held Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn, officiated by Rev. Ken Miller. Edith Schlange provided accompaniment for congregational hymns. Honorary bearers were Sharon’s grandchildren: Gabrielle Custer, Blake Custer, Grant Custer, Katie Gnade, and Carson Gnade.

Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home.