Sharon Maxine Peterson

Sharon Maxine Peterson passed away peacefully Sunday, October 2, 2011, at Norwalk Nursing and Rehabilitation after a brief illness at the age of 64.

She graduated from dear old North High and attended AIB in Des Moines. After working at Look Magazine in downtown Des Moines, a family vacation to Hawaii put into motion a lifetime love affair with the Hawaiian Islands. Sharon called the beautiful north shore of Oahu home for the next twenty years, working for a major life insurance carrier in downtown Honolulu. Her mother Maxine and father Maurice “Red” Peterson enjoyed getting away from the Iowa winters to Sharon’s apartment in Kailua. Many a luau was held as Sharon’s friends looked forward to gifts of Iowa steaks brought by her parents. Sharon enjoyed island hopping throughout the entire chain of Hawaiian Islands, and taking in as many local sporting events as her busy schedule would allow.

A major health event brought Sharon back to Des Moines in the spring of 1999. The past five years Sharon resided at the Norwalk Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Sharon enjoyed most any group activity, playing cards with family, and visitors who soon became friends. While Sharon endured some significant life challenges, she never had a discouraging word and was always ready with a broad smile, and a "Let’s Go Hawks" for any visitor.

Sharon was preceded in death by her mother and father, and survived by her brother, Dennis. Her lifetime friend, Kathy Storer, brought her great comfort and companionship during many rousing Sunday card games. Words cannot express our gratitude for her friendship. A heartfelt thank you to the entire staff at Norwalk for their loving care and to Iowa Health Home Care Hospice.

Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens has been entrusted with handling Sharon’s final resting place.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 7, from 2 to 3 p.m., at the Norwalk Nursing and Rehabilitation facility, 921 Sunset Drive.

Online condolences may be made to:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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