Doris Ann Sharp, 84

Doris Ann Sharp, 84, a longtime resident of the Sparks area, passed away at home on Sunday, March 28, 2021. One year and day after her husband, Wayne Sharp passed away.

Doris was born February 16, 1937, in Colome, S.D., to James and Emma (Devish) Sharkey, the youngest of four children. She attended grade school in Clearfield, S.D., and graduated from high school in 1956 in Winner, S.D.

She met the love of her life, Wayne Sharp, at her sister’s wedding dance. They were married June 2, 1956, and celebrated 63 years together. They raised three children: Duane, Rita and Dwite.

Wayne and Doris moved to the Milan Sharp ranch after Duane was born in 1957. Doris stayed busy caring for her children, along with cooking for hired men, canning produced from her large garden, sewing, cooking for her family and making delicious homemade bread and donuts. In October 1972, they purchased the John Smith place five miles south of Sparks. They moved there on New Year’s Eve. They milked cows, raised hogs and chickens, and dry-land farmed in the early years.

Doris was a great cook and her family loved the delicious fried chicken and turkey that was always a treat.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne, who passed away March 27, 2020, the day before his 84th birthday; her son, Dwite Sharp; her parents, James and Emma Sharkey; a brother, Bob Sharkey; her parents-in-law, Rex W. Sr. and Martha (Haley) Sharp; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Lyle and Alma Sharp, Jake and Inez Sharp, Rex W. Sharp Jr., Kenny and Ines Sharp, and Ronald Sharp; and sisters- and brothers-in-law, Gladys and Leland Haas and Lola and Claude Kaplan.

She is survived by one son, Duane Sharp, and a daughter, Rita Rowan; her grandchildren and their spouses, Rob and Melissa Rowan, Anthony and Tischa Sharp, Amanda and Mike Eannarinno, and Tommy Sharp; her great-grandchildren, Jackson, Cassandra, Zoe, Anderson and Ray. Also surviving are two sisters, Maxine Duffy and Jean Docken; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Sharp and Linda Sharp; two brothers and sisters-in-law: Richard and Martha Wergin and Robert and Rita Sharp; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral service was held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 1, at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine. Burial will follow in the Sparks Cemetery.  Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was in charge of service arrangements.