Sharon L. Heller, 81, of Dubuque passed away Monday, February 12, 2018 surrounded by her loving family at Luther Manor. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 Kennedy Road where visitation will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. until time of service. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
Sharon was born on July 20, 1936 in the Twin Cities, daughter of Harold and Mamie (Reid) Lorenz. After graduating from Lion’s Township High School in La Grange, Illinois, she received her BA and master’s degree from the University of Iowa. She taught special education at the University of Iowa Hospital School.
On August 13, 1960, she married Dr. Joseph Heller at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Iowa City. They enjoyed 53 years of married life until Joe’s death on June 1, 2013. In 1964, they moved to Dubuque where Joe started his pediatric practice at Medical Associates. During the 1970’s, Sharon served two terms on the Dubuque Community School Board. She completed her final term as president. Also, Sharon was employed by the Department of Human Services as a Volunteer Coordinator for Information and Referral. In 1984, they relocated to Mesa, Arizona where she taught pre-school. They spent their retirement years in the Tampa, Florida sunshine.
Sharon enjoyed furthering her education, reading, shopping, volunteering and was a wonderful gardener, growing many award-winning roses. Her gardening skills earned her the opportunity to be a test grower of new roses for Jackson Perkins. She and Joe supported their daughters in their love of raising and showing American Saddlebred horses. She had a passion for her pets especially her pugs. She was a proud, loving mother to her four daughters, “The Heller Girls” and their families.
She is survived by four daughters, Julie (Larry) Vogt of Dubuque, Joy Carlson of Dubuque, Kathy (Franc) Djennas of Maui, Hawaii, and Karen (Anthony) Monaghan of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; grandchildren, Austin (Mallory Schmid) Vogt, Sydney Carlson (fiancée, Cameron Sohl), Jessica (Michael) Djennas Vasquez and Liam, Aidan and Claire Monaghan and three great grandchildren, Aizlyn, Mikie and Roman Vasquez. Susan Stanley Hamilton, a special niece who has spent extra time with Sharon.
She is also survived by her twin sister, Karon (Dr. John) Stanley of Kansas City; a sister in law, Dr. Mary Ann Lorenz of Manchester and many nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by her oldest grandson, Grant Vogt; her brother, Harold Lorenz; sister, Patricia Chantry; brother in law, Dr. William Chantry, and sister in law, Dr. Floy Lorenz.
Memorials may be made to the Miracle League of Dubuque in honor of her lifelong love of helping individuals of all ages with special needs.
For further information, please visit www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com.
The family would like to thank Medical Associates Dr. Jennifer Mohr and staff, Kelly Hall McMahon, the doctors, nurses and staff at Mercy Medical Center, as well as the nurses and staff at Luther Manor and Hospice of Dubuque for their outstanding compassion and care.