We are humbly honored, yet heavy hearted, in sharing this tribute, honoring the extraordinary life of Sharon Lee (Lang) Sharkey- Wife, Mother, Grandmother, beloved friend, community member and beyond. Sharon was born on August 10, 1952, in Hot Springs, SD, to Clifford Clarence Lang & Shirley Mae Gosch.  She was the oldest of three children.  Her and her brothers, Gary & Rodney Lang, were raised in Rapid City, SD, until the spring of 1961, when they moved to Custer, SD.

Sharon's beautiful life was multifaceted, of which she gave generously and selflessly, in order to better the lives of those around her. She attended a one-room classroom through 8 ^th grade, played the piano and guitar, and actively participated in the local 4H club.  She was a talented soloist singer and cancan dancer in the Black Hills Fly Speck Billy Show.  In 1969, she was the Champion Cattle Judge at the Winter Weston Livestock Show, and graduated from Custer High School with the class of 1970.  Sharon was a participant in the Paha Sapa Pageant, and was 1 ^st runner up Miss Gold Discovery Days in 1974.  In addition to the aforementioned, the following are accomplishments / attributes that were influential in shaping her life during those years- horse wrangler for trail rides from Sylvan Lake to the summit of Harney Peak, worked as an agent for the Custer Chamber of Commerce, Lead Hostess of the Writer Convention, in which Governor Kneip, Attorney General Bill Janklow, and countless other journalists from the national media attended.

Sharon attended Huron College for two years, where she also participated in intramural sports and was a cheerleader.  She then transferred to Black Hills State University, where she graduated in 1974 with a double major, in History and Social Sciences, and degree in Education.  During her time at Black Hills State, she participated in intramural sports, and was an active leader in her Sorority, and met the love of her life, Gary Michael Sharkey.  Gary & Sharon were married on May 24, 1975, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Spearfish, SD.

In August of 1975, they moved to Gillette, WY, where Sharon first substitute taught for two years, prior to beginning her 30-year legacy as a Teacher at Campbell County High School.  Sharon truly loved teaching, was an effective, dedicated, and caring educator, and undoubtedly touched thousands of lives in paramount ways.  Sharon also contributed to extra curricular activities, for Campbell County High School.  She was the lead Cheerleader Coach for several years, Head Sponsor for the Close Up Foundation for the state of Wyoming, including three trips to Washington D.C. Nonetheless, Sharon helped young educators become effective teachers, by sponsoring them via the student teaching program, through the University of Wyoming.

Gary and Sharon welcomed their first child, Jennifer Kay Sharkey into the world, on October 25 ^th, 1980.  On April 16 ^th , 1984, their Son, Nicholas Gary Sharkey was born.  Sharon's love for her children and family were unparalleled.  She actively supported them in all of their sports activities, trained and showed Quarter Horses in AQHA, and was a top ranked AQHA breeder and producer.  She played an integral role in the successful creation and management of Sharkey Well Service, Inc.  Sharon had an immense love for God, the Father Almighty and Our Holy Catholic Church, since joining the Church in 1985.  She was a member of the Women of St. Johns, and very fond of delivering meals for the meals on wheels program, in Custer.

Sharon has gracefully blessed so many lives across many facets of life, through teaching, and living as a child of God during her time with us in this world. In so, and as a beloved Mother figure, and integral part of her family and community, she will be deeply missed, but will indeed forever live, through the many lives she so lovingly touched.  On January 24 ^th , 2008 our lives forever changed, when Sharon suffered from an unexpected / massive brain aneurysm rupture.  While this devastating injury was followed by extremely turbulent times, Sharon's love for her Grandchildren, her family, and life, helped to sustain her. Thus providing her a loving quality to her life for the last 11 years.  Her faith and determination to continue to live in order to share in life's experiences with her Grandchildren, Family, and Friends were unwavering.

Sharon is preceded in death by her Father & Mother (Clifford & Shirley Lang), her Grandparents, a niece (Melinda Sharkey), and a brother-in-law (Leo Sharkey).

Those left to cherish her memory include her loving husband (Gary Sharkey) their children (Jennifer / Scott), (Nicholas / Jacklyn), Grandchildren (Alec, Dominick, Kaylee, & Jaselyn), her two brothers (Gary & Rodney), nieces & nephews (Ashley, Cassidy, Chris, Melissa, Amy, Blane, Kaytlen, John, Beth, Sarah, Matthew, Mary, and Michael), multiple great nieces and great nephews, among many other loving family members.

Christian Vigil will be held 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 7, 2019, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Custer.

Christian Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 8, 2019, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Custer with Fr. Grant Gerlach as celebrant.

Christian Funeral Burial will follow at the Custer Cemetery in Custer, SD.

Blessings,

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Custer.