Sharon Nier

NAME Sharon Nier,age 61, of Elburn, passed away at her home, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family in the early morning hours of Tuesday, September 8, 2009. BORN / EARLY YEARSShe was born November 21, 1947, the daughter of LaVerne "Bud" and Charlene (Wood) Ritchey in Aurora, IL. Sharon grew up in Troxel, IL. When she was sixteen, the family moved to the outskirts of Kaneville and later to the old Schleifer place. EDUCATION/EMPLOYMENTSharon graduated from Kaneland High School with class of 1966 and began working for Farmer’s Insurance Group. She also helped her parents operate the Elburn Dairy Joy and worked part time at Gliddon’s Drug Store. In November of 1968, Sharon began what would become a 31 year career at Richardson Electronics, Ltd. Although some predicted she would not last long, her determination and penchant for details moved her up the line through the years from assembly to engineering clerk, to accounting and to executive secretary to the Vice President of Manufacturing before retiring on December 31, 1999 as the senior inventory control clerk. MARRIAGE & FAMILYOn March 21, 1970 she was united in marriage to Gene Nier. They began their new life together in a house on South St. in Elburn. It was there they transformed the house into a home and made many improvements and thousands of memories. Sharon turned their back yard into a virtual haven for a remarkable spectrum of birds including: Orioles, Indigo Buntings, Rose Breasted Grosbeaks, Cardinals, Brown Thrashers, Gold Finches, White Breasted Nuthatches, Hairy and Red Bellied Woodpeckers and many, many others. She also was fond of caring for her Fox or "Red" Squirrels as well as the grey and the little chipmunks for which her backyard was a playground. She knows what they love to eat and sees that they have a year ‘round "smorgasbord". Sharon’s knowledge of the birds was truly encyclopedic and she enjoyed imparting that knowledge to her nieces, nephews and friends. MEMBERSHIPS:Sharon was a member of the "Women of the Moose" from 1975 (to the day of these arrangements and presumably to the day of her death) She also bowled on mixed and women’s leagues through the 1970’s and 80’s until her job became too demanding and she had to stop bowling. FAMILY MEMBERSHer family includes one step-son, Steven (Stacy) Nier and their children Drew and Katie, of Hale, MO. One brother, Ron (April) Ritchey of Elburn, Seven nieces and nephews:Dawn (Keith) McLaughlin of Millington, ILKelly Ritchey of Elburn, Dana (Alan) Herra of Elburn:Kim (Mike) Paulus of Sugar Grove, ILSusan Henne of Kaneville, ILJeff (Cara) Nier of Hinckley, ILMark (Bethany) Nier of Chilton, WIHer mother-in-law, Doris Nier of Kaneville, IL;One sister-in-law, Karen (Leonard) Heinberg of Kaneville, ILOne brother-in-law, Myron (Lenore) Nier of Hinckley, ILSixteen great-nieces and nephews:Jeff, Kevin, Charles, Kyle and Katie McLaughlin,Charlene Walker, Natasha Capes, and Jackson Herra,Chris and Ben Paulus, Nick and Melanie Henne, and Alex, Kourtney, McKenzie and Harrison Nier;Three great-great-niece and nephews:Xavier, Luke and Mylie;And a family of close friends who will never forget her. PRECEDEDShe is preceded in death by her husband, Gene, her parents, LaVerne "Bud" and Charlene Ritchey, one sister, Sandra Carroll, and her father-in-law, Arnold Nier. VISITATION / FUNERAL Following direct cremation, a private family graveside service will be held at Kaneville Cemetery at a later date. MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, Sharon’s wish was for you to plant something for nature in her memory. A memorial has also been established in her name. Memorials checks may be made to the Sharon Nier Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through her obituary at www.conleycare.com.

No Public Services

Following direct cremation, a private family graveside service will be held at Kaneville Cemetery at a later date.