Sharon Kay Hintz

October 12, 1942 - September 30, 2023

Visitation

Date: October 5, 2023
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Schroeder Funeral Homes - St. Ansgar, Iowa

Funeral Service

Date: October 6, 2023
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Deer Creek Lutheran Church - St. Ansgar, Iowa

Sharon Kay Nicholson was born in Mitchell County to Harold and Ina (Anderson) Nicholson. She was one of five children and shared a close relationship with siblings Yvonne, Nancy, Phyllis and Butch. As a child she enjoyed the close-knit community of Carpenter. She had fond memories of going down the tracks and swimming in Deer Creek, playing kick the can with the neighborhood kids, soaping the windows of the bank at Halloween, and sometimes sneaking in the family restaurant after hours with a friend or two to make milkshakes. In high school, she pursued band and basketball. She may have been the shortest one on the basketball team, but she loved the game and gave it her all. She graduated from Carpenter Highschool in 1960. Go Wildcats! She attended business school in Des Moines before returning to Carpenter. She married Marlin Wilder in 1962 at Deer Creek Lutheran Church. They were blessed with four children Carol, Kathy, Crissy and Andy. The family moved to Sugar Grove, Ill for Marlin’s work and she was a stay-at-home mom. Her days were spent reading, helping at the school, volunteering at the community club and running the family concession business selling corndogs, lemonade shake ups, and cotton candy for over 50 years. In 1972, she became one of the first of 12 licensed, female, firefighters in the state of Illinois. Friends and family looked forward to her infamous barn parties in which the highlight was the comedy show she and her friends performed on stage. Who will ever forget their movie “The Longest Ride.” In 1981 she married Bruce Hintz and resided in Grand Detour, Illinois. The two enjoyed fishing, cruising the river on their pontoon, riding around on the Bruce’s homemade 3-wheeled motorcycle, and watching the grandchildren. Her home was open to all and plenty gathered for food and games. Some Balderdash games lasted until the wee hours of the morning. Upon retirement she returned to her beloved Carpenter where she purchased her last home. While in Carpenter she volunteered for the Carpenter Community Center, played cribbage with the guys at the gym, and was a frequent patron of CBG where the staff treated her like family. They say it takes a village to raise a child but it also takes a special village of caring residents, to watch over each other. Mom was very fortunate to live in Carpenter. She was a Buddy Holly aficionado and danced the night away at the Winter Dance Party for the last 30 years. She connected with other die-hard fans and cheeky mates and looked forward to reuniting with them the day the music died. Sharon’s biggest passion in life was her family. For many years she wintered at her brother Butch’s house and enjoyed playing bingo, trivia and going out to eat with her sisters Yvonne and Nancy. She shared a special relationship with her sister Phyllis and the two enjoyed cooking and discovering new cuisine. Her four children, eight grand-children and great grand-baby, were her heart and soul. Her seasonal food trailer events were a traditional family activity. As the kids and grandkids scattered across the country, they always made time to return for their favorite festivals or events such as the steam show, plow match, car show or fair. They became experts at making snow cones, bagging cotton candy, shaking lemonades, preparing corn dogs and onion blossoms. Sharon was very proud that all of her grandchildren could quickly add up what was owed and count back the change before they were 10 years old! Sharon made it a priority to attend her grandchildren’s athletic events, musical concerts and gigs, tournaments, and parties. She carved out special grandma time with each grandchild and took them on an individual trip to either Disney World, Bahamas, Washington D.C., or Alaksa. Sharon will be remembered for her witty comebacks, devoted friendships, and love of family. She was proceeded in death by her: husband, Bruce Hints; parents; stepfather, Kermit Gould; siblings, Yvonne Albrecht and Phyllis Mashaney; stepson, Eric Hintz. She is survived by her: children, Carol Adams (husband Mark Black), Kathleen Wilder Freed, Christine Wilder Cassayre (Dan) and Andrew Wilder (fiancé Amanda Robertson); grandchildren, Zachary Adams (Becky), Lindsay Adams (Jack Mitchell), Kyle Freed (fiancé Kristy Sloan), A.J. Wilder (Jae Bentten), Aliciamaria “Lece” Wilder (Simon Schmidt), Adam Wilder, Austin Cassayre (Monica), and William Cassayre; great-grandchild, Dawson Adams; Stepdaughter, Shelly Morrison (Andy) their two boys; siblings, Nancy Harvey and Harold K. “Butch” Nicholson (Andrea), and several nieces and nephews.