Sharon Lydia Smith

POYNETTE – Sharon Lydia Smith, age 86, passed away in Deforest, Wisconsin, on Saturday, October 25, 2025.

Sharon was born on July 25, 1939, in Lacrosse Wisconsin, the daughter of Carl and Charlotte Jaekel.  She grew up in a creative home where she enjoyed art and music. She was a talented artist and musician who learned organ, piano and the accordion. Sharon loved the marshes and bluffs around Lacrosse and had a lifelong appreciation of nature. She maintained contact with family and friends in the area much of her life.

Upon graduation from High School, Sharon was encouraged to move to Madison by her aunt, Orma. This is where she met and married her first husband Alan Ramsden, in 1963. They raised 3 children but eventually divorced.  Sharon was a wonderful mom who provided a solid presence for her kids Audra, Kris, and Sean – always offering strength and quiet support with a smile. She was innately honest, sincere and loving. These attributes were present as she faced dementia in her later years with acceptance and grace.

While in Madison, Sharon worked as a graphic designer at UW Horticulture until taking an early retirement at the age of 54 to pursue her true “calling”. She was born into a long line of ministers including the first horseback Lutheran preacher in Wisconsin and had never let go of childhood dreams of becoming a minister herself.  She followed her heart on this path by serving as a Pastor at Honey Creek, Poynette and Inch United Methodist Churches.

Sharon met her second husband, Ron Smith, in Poynette. They married in 2001. Ron was very supportive of her ministry and over the years they shared a deep commitment to the church, mission works throughout the country, volunteerism, recreational travel, companionship, family, friends, community, and a mutual love of gardening.

While in memory care; she loved visits from Ron, her daughters, granddaughters Cierra, Ashley, Hannah, and great grandchildren. She smiled through her illness, offering wisdom in her way, and life lessons to others as she lost her words and her focus shifted from the past or future to the present. Those who helped support Sharon expressed appreciation for her smiles and the peace they would feel in her presence.

Sharon was preceded in death by her son, Sean,; brother, Gary; and parents, Charlotte and Carl. She is survived by her husband, Ron; her daughters, Audra (Nelson) and Kris (Todd); Ron’s children; Dan (Patti), Nola (Roger), and Tim; along with grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many other cherished family members and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Poynette Community United Methodist Church, 402 S. Main St., Poynette, WI. A visitation will take place from 1:00 p.m. until the start of the service at 2:30 p.m. Inurnment will follow the service at Zion Cemetery in Leeds, Wisconsin.

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home, in Poynette, is assisting the family.