Sharon Eaker, 83, of Mechanicsville, Iowa, passed away Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, at Mechanicsville Specialty Care.

Sharon Lee Kime was born Oct. 13, 1935, to Lester and Vera (Crabtree) Kime in Austin, Minnesota. Sharon graduated from Austin High School and later married Verlin Eaker on March 13, 1955. They resided in Austin and Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, until moving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1966. They later moved to Mechanicsville in 1977. Sharon was a supportive and committed wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother of strong faith. Everyone was always welcome in her home for refreshments, a meal, laughs and stories. Sharon enjoyed decorating her home, baking, gardening—as long as the snakes stayed away, canning, and playing cards with her family and friends. Memories were made with euchre and Canadian fishing trip buddies Ernie and Joyce Ludvicek. In her earlier years, most of Sharon’s weekends were spent at dirt tracks, where she enjoyed the circle of family, friends and fans while watching Verlin race. Sharon also had a love of reading and participated in the Cub Scouts as a den mother and in Red Hat Society activities ranging from parades, luncheons and celebrating birthdays, most recently her own, where the Red Hat Ladies came to the care center – it was truly special.

Sharon is survived by her husband, Verlin of Mechanicsville; children, Dawn Stieger of Cedar Rapids, Terry Eaker of Oswego, New York, and Scott (Karen) Eaker of Rochester, Minnesota; grandchildren, Dayna Stieger of Mechanicsville, Stephanie (Jeremiah) Phams of Grimes, Iowa, Shauna Dietrick of Clinton, Iowa, Terry Jr. “TJ” (Heather) Eaker of Clinton, Koby Eaker of West Liberty, Iowa, Jarryd (Samantha) Eaker of Rochester and Derek Eaker of Colorado Springs, Colorado; great-grandchildren, Swayzie Duecker, Caeden Dietrick, Wrigley Dietrick, Uryah Dietrick, Savannah Dietrick, Macey Eaker, Madelynn Eaker and Carter Eaker; sister, Lana (Wes) Johnson of Austin; brother-in-law, Earl Goetz of Lake Wales, Florida; nieces and nephews, Keri (David) Yerhart of Austin, Tara (Eric) Johnson Krumm of Austin, Chad Johnson of Austin, Greg (Carmen) Goetz of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Troy (Cathy) Goetz of Woodbury, Minnesota, Susan (Leo Jr.) Matzeder of Wichita, Kansas, Jeff (Suzi) Goetz of Greenville, South Carolina, Larry Worke of Meriden, Minnesota, and Dick (Jan) Worke of Rochester; and numerous great-nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Carol Goetz; parents-in-law, Mabel and Amos Eaker; sister-in-law, Ruby; brother-in-law, Jack Worke; and niece Vickie (Dean) Mesenbring.

The family would like to thank everyone at Mechanicsville Specialty Care for taking care of this precious woman who touched so many lives and were honored to have known her. The staff became Sharon’s extended family, of whom she talked so highly and who treated Sharon as family too.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, at Steward Baxter Funeral and Memorial Services in Mount Vernon, Iowa, with Pastor Karen Nelson officiating. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service on Tuesday at the funeral home.