Sharon (Pfadenhauer) Welker

Sharon Maxine Welker, age 84, passed away on February 14, 2022, surrounded by family at the Taylor Hospice House in East Des Moines. Sharon was born and raised in Burlington, Iowa and graduated Burlington High School in 1954 at the age of 16. She moved to Des Moines to pursue a teaching degree at the Open Bible College. After three years of college, she graduated with honors. Sharon played the trombone through high school and into college and also played the piano occasionally.

Sharon worked for several companies as an Executive Secretary, serving at the Open Bible Churches’ headquarters on Fleur Drive for the longest period leading up to her retirement to enjoy her many grandchildren. During her life, she married Chuck Welker and had three sons – Sherm, Terry and Russ whom she stayed proud and supportive throughout her life. Sharon was the President of the East High Band Boosters for two years had a great fondness for gardening, baking cookies and making her signature Lemon Cheesecake with her children and grandchildren.

Those left to honor her memory are her brother - Roger Pfadenhauer from Pella; sister - Elda Pfadenhauer Schwiekle (husband Jerry) from Nashville; her children and their spouses: Sherm Welker (and wife Roe) from Marshalltown, Iowa; Terry Welker (and wife Jann) from Urbandale, Iowa; and Russ Welker (and wife Julie) from Castle Rock, Colorado. The list also includes 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Wilma Pfadenhauer, an older sister Irene Bush and one of her grandchildren, Morgan Aguilar (with whom she shared a birthday).

Funeral Services will be held at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens (121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa) on Monday, February 21, 2022 at 10:00 am with burial to follow next door at Highland Memory Gardens. Lunch will be served at the funeral home following burial services.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, any donations can be made to Taylor Hospice House, 3401 E. Douglas Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50317.

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