Sharon L. (Lamb) Gustafson

Sharon L. Gustafson

February 16, 2014, Sharon L. (Lamb) Gustafson let out one final breath, and her earthly days came to a close.

Born January 2, 1944, Sharon L. (Lamb) Gustafson was the second of five children born to Virgil and Mary Lou (Jordan) Lamb. Her childhood and teenage years were spent on Church Street in Brooklyn, Wisconsin, surrounded by her siblings (Betty, Shirley, Virgil, Jr. and Alan) as well as many friends. In August of 1970 she married Carl E. Gustafson. With their move to Madison, Wisconsin, an instant family was created as she opened her heart and home to Carl's son, Robert. Three years later the family grew as the couple celebrated the birth of their daughter, Melinda.

Never one to shy away from challenging work, Sharon spent many days and nights alongside her husband at the family business, Gustafson Auto Sales and Body Shop in Middleton, Wisconsin. Later she returned to work at W.T. Rogers, which later became a division of Rubbermaid, first as an operator of a plastics machine and later as a trainer for the company. Beyond work, Sharon found joy in the simple pleasures of life - fishing with her family, cheering on the Green Bay Packers regardless of whether it was a winning season, growing flowers in her yard, baking apple pies for the holidays, and putting together puzzles with her grandchildren.

Sharon is survived by her daughter, Melinda Gustafson Gervasi, Melinda's husband Charles, and their two children Ian and Maeve, of Madison, Wisconsin; her step-son Robert (Rhonda) Gustafson of Dane, Wisconsin as well as their three sons, David (Ashley as well as their child Finnigan), Michael, and Eric; her parents, Virgil and Mary Lou Lamb of Stoughton, Wisconsin; a sister, two brothers, numerous siblings-in-law as well as nieces and nephews. Sharon was preceeded in death by an infant son, her older sister Betty, and her husband, Carl E. Gustafson.

A special thank you is owed to Sharon's family physician, Dr. Susan Poe of UW Health for several decades of quality and compassionate care, and to her neighbors - a wonderful group of people willing to clear her walk of snow, return garbage cans to the top of the drive, and even ride along in the ambulance to the emergency room. These simple acts brought her a wealth of comfort and peace during her final years.

A celebration of Sharon's life will be held at the First Unitarian Society in Madison on Saturday, April 26th, with a visitation at 9:30am and a memorial service at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers it is suggested that a donation be made in Sharon's name to the Friends of Lake Kegonsa Society.