Sharon Joan (Shulkey) Newman (90) passed away peacefully on Monday, September 25, 2023. Her son Rohn and daughter-in-law Elisa were by her side throughout the day. Sharon was born August 7th, 1933 to Erquett and Ella (Nelson) Shulkey of Hamberg, ND.
Sharon was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith at the Hamberg Lutheran Church. She started school in Hamberg, but switched schools often due to her father's work. Erquett was employed as a construction foreman of cement grain elevators. This position forced the family to move every six to nine months. Sharon graduated grade school in Soda Springs, ID and high school in Fresno, CA.
Sharon met her husband, Robert, in Hamberg; they married on June 7th, 1953 at Concordia Lutheran Church. Interestingly, the original church burned several months prior to the wedding. With Sharon's encouragement, Robert volunteered to lead the new church committee. A solution was found when the Concordia parish bought and moved a church building from a town 65 miles north of Hamberg.
Robert and Sharon made their home on a farm south of Hamberg. They spent the summer months farming and winter months traveling with Sharon's parents and assisting with the construction business. They visited many cities across the US during this time.
Their son Rohn was born on August 6th, 1968. Soon after Rohn's birth the family established a new farm north of Fessenden, ND. Rohn attended school in Fessenden and the family attended church at First Lutheran. After retiring from farming in 1997, Robert and Sharon began to spend their winters in Mesa, AZ. During retirement they enjoyed time with friends as well as traveling throughout the continental US, Alaska and Western Europe. In 2007 they permanently moved to GA where their son Rohn works and lives.
In 2009 Rohn married Elisa Faherty, and in 2011 their first grandchild, Caleb, was born. Eli, their second grandchild, came just 18 months later in 2013.
In 2019 Sharon and Bob celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary!
Sharon loved being a grandma and put much effort into cookies, activities and memories for Caleb and Eli. Being a grandma was one of the highlights of her life. Sharon was a member of multiple social clubs and had many dedicated and loyal friends. She was a talented artist, oil painter and home decorator.
Sharon is survived by her son Rohn (Elisa) and two grandchildren Caleb and Eli. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert and her parents Erquett and Ella.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to may make a contribution to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at www.jdrf.org/memorial
A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held Friday, October 20th at 1:00 PM at Northside Chapel, Roswell GA. A reception will follow at the Newman's home in Milton.