Sharon Marie Petersilka

Sharon Marie Petersilka, 84, of Sturgeon Bay, fell asleep in the loving arms of her family and awoke in the arms of the Lord, Wednesday morning, January 8, 2025 at the Pete and Jelaine Horton Skilled Nursing Center at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay.

She was born June 9, 1940 in Sturgeon Bay, the daughter of Walter Henry Balza and Joyce (May) Balza. Sharon grew up attending Corpus Christi Parish in Sturgeon Bay and graduated as covaledictorian from Brussels High School with the class of 1958. She went on to study at the business college in Milwaukee the following year.

Sharon was united in marriage to Ronald William Petersilka on August 22, 1959 at her home church, Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

They initially resided on the Petersilka farm on Mathey Road in Sturgeon Bay until 1960 when they moved to a new residence also on Mathey Road in the Town of Sevastopol.

Sharon worked as a waitress at The Mill Supper Club on State Highway 42/57 with the Petersilka family for over 35 years. Her primary care was devoted to raising her family at home. In retirement, Sharon worked as a candle maker at Door County Candle Company in Carlsville.

She was a longtime member of Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Institute. Sharon enjoyed knitting, cross-stitching, sewing, and making clothes for her family. Sharon liked tending to her flowers in her garden at home. Her family recalls what a wonderful cook she was. Sharon's family meant the world to her and loved gathering together with them throughout the year.

She and Ron were blessed with over 48 years of marriage. He preceded Sharon in death on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2008.

In October of 2019, she moved into Anna's Healthcare CBRF (now Bayview Senior Care) in Sturgeon Bay and resided there until March of 2023 when she moved into the Pete and Jelaine Horton Skilled Nursing Center.

Sharon's love will live on in the hearts of her children, Daniel (Carey) Petersilka of the Town of Sevastopol, Cindy (Gary) Welch of the Town of Egg Harbor, Douglas (Carrie) Petersilka of the Town of Egg Harbor, Michael (Annette) Petersilka of the Town of Lincoln, Gail (David) Hogan of the Village of Fox Crossing, Ronald "Peanuts" Petersilka, Jr. of the Town of Nasewaupee, Diane (Peter) Franklin of the Town of Egg Harbor, Tammy (Rustin "Rusty") Campshure of Green Bay, Dale (Karla) Petersilka of the Town of Washington (Eau Claire), and Sandra "Sandy" (Len) Arsenault of the Town of Brussels (Forestville); 28 grandchildren, Dan's: Molly (Caleb), Mathew (Kate); Cindy's: Aaron (Sarah), Megan (Nick), Caitlin (Carlos); Doug's: Brooke (Jack), Mallory (Robert); Mike's: Josh (Katie), Lindsey (Phil), Nathan (Morgan); Gail's: Jason, Hannah (Darrel); Peanuts': Corrine, Morgan (Kinard); Diane's: Sarah, Danielle (Pete), Kayla (Matthew); Tammy's: Blake; Dale's: Kimberly, Ethan, Quinn, Isaac, Teigan; Sandy's: Ryan, Cameron, Dylan, Aiden, Cooper; 34 great-grandchildren, Molly's: Clara, Jade; Aaron's: Jordyn, Mekhi; Megan's: Devin, Layla, Caleb; Caitlin's: Alex, Max; Brooke's: John, Lauren; Mallory's: Chloe, Lacey, Brynlee; Josh's: Carter, Olivia, Cameron, Callie; Lindsey's: Stella; Nathan's: Koy, Vance; Hannah's: Jackson, Henry, Louise; Morgan's: Londyn, Jaylen, Tatum; Danielle's: Charlotte, Elloise, Peter, Franklin; Kayla's: Avery, Theodore; Kimberly's: Sophia; sister, Jeanne (William) Barnard of Cedarburg; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; granddaughter, Sarah Franklin; brother, Merlyn (Harriet) Denil; parents-in-law, Milton and Marie (nee Liebl) Petersilka; siblings-in-law, Donald (Janice) Petersilka, Robert (Lois) Hunt, and Helen (John) Collins; and other relatives.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be prayed at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Institute with Fr. Anthony Birdsall as celebrant. Sharon will be laid to rest in the Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum at Nicolet Memorial Gardens in the Town of Scott, beside her husband, Ronald.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay on Monday, January 13, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with the Rosary to be prayed at 3:40 p.m. A prayer service will conclude the visitation at 7:00 p.m. and be led by Chaplain John Hauser of Door County Medical Center. Visitation will continue at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. until 10:40 a.m.

Memorials may be given in Sharon's honor for Neighbor to Neighbor (62 S. 3rd Avenue, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235; www.neighbor-to-neighbor.org/donate) or DOOR CANcer, Inc. (P.O. Box 423, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235; www.doorcancer.com/donate).

"Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the staffs at Anna's Healthcare/Bayview Senior Care, the Pete and Jelaine Horton Skilled Nursing Center and Unity Hospice for the wonderful and loving care you gave to our mother."

Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Sharon may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.

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