Sharon Sandra Desten

Sharon Sandra Desten (Williamson) age 83, passed away the morning of February 26, 2025, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Sharon was born on August 8, 1941, to the late Samuel and Lucille (Zemke) Williamson in Shawano, WI. She spent her youth in Cecil and graduated from Shawano High School. In 1963, she met Ronald “Ronnie” Desten at a local watering hole. It was not love at first sight for the pair, and Ronnie had to work hard to win her over. When best friends Myrt (Sharon’s) and Don (Ronnie’s) got married, best man and maid of honor were paired, and it soon became apparent that they were meant to be.

On April 25, 1964, Sharon and Ronnie married, moved to the Fox Valley and the couple had two children Gregg and Melissa. The family put down roots. Sharon was a legal secretary for the DA’s office in Outagamie County for 25 years.

Sharon loved to have fun with her friends, and enjoyed a glass of wine, a cold beer, and a whiskey old fashion. Spending time up north and even snowmobiling were highlights for her. While heading to Pickerel for breakfast on her snowmobile there’s a story of a tap on a helmet and a comment: “Get goin’.”

She and Ronnie traveled to Mexico many times for vacations, the Bahamas for the 25th wedding anniversary, and took some bus tours to Mount Rushmore, Myrtle Beach, and Nashville. Sharon loved her family. She cherished her husband, her children, grandchildren and greats as well as her siblings. Time spent with them was always well spent.

Sharon is survived by her husband of 62 years Ronnie; children: Gregg (Tammy) Desten and Melissa (Rick Seiltz) Desten; grandchildren: Brianna (Alex), Olivia, Steven (Kim), Heather, Shane (Nicki), Holly (Kyle), Sebastian (Sarah); great grandchildren: Katrina, Lylyan, Kole, Kaylee, Carson, Rylie, and baby girl soon to arrive. She is further survived by her siblings: Joe Williamson, Mark (Pam) Williamson, Lori (Brett) Jossie, and Sandy (Chet) Holly; brother-in-law Bill Nelson and other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ronnie’s parents, sisters Lynne Williamson and Barb Nelson and other family members.

A funeral service for Sharon will take place on Sunday March 2, 2025, at 11:00am at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N Superior Street, Appleton, WI 54911. Friends and family may gather at the funeral home from 9:00am until the service begins. Sharon will be entombed at Highland Memorial Park, Appleton.

Sharon’s family would like to extend their gratitude to her caregivers at Lotus Carden: Isaac and Tamara; Kayla her AsceraCare Hospice nurse for their wonderful care.

Mom-

Thank you for your love throughout the years,

You gave us your comfort and wiped our tears.

We were blessed to have you until that day,

Heartbroken at how you had to go away.

We will keep your memories close to our hearts,

Carrying on the love you gave us from the start

Now it’s time for your soul to rest,

Your family feels your love-

We are so blessed.