Sharon Dianne Engelking Waner was born on July 24, 1942 in Ponca City, OK to George & Dorothy (Law) Engelking, the oldest of five children. She attended school in Newkirk, OK, graduating from Newkirk High School in 1960. She was in the National Honor Society & was very active in Pep Club, Student Council, FHA, and band, in which she was a twirler and the Band Queen during her junior year. She served as editor of the yearbook and as Annual Queen her senior year. She was also selected to attend Girls’ State.
Sharon attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK, & was named to the Dean’s Honor Roll several times, graduating from there with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1964. She later attended Central State University in Edmond, OK, where she was also named to the Dean’s Honor Roll. She obtained her Master of Education degree from SWOSU in 1971. Sharon taught school in Sayre, OK for two years before moving to Guthrie, OK, where she taught for another 31 years until her retirement in 1998. Upon retiring from her teaching career, she embarked on her second, & favorite, career–being Nana to her beloved grandchildren. She was the only full-time childcare provider from birth until school-age for Alexandria, Joshua & Taryn, and they benefitted greatly from having a Nana who enjoyed teaching them as much as she could. She also spent all available time with Avery & Cole, & her love of learning was imparted to them as well, with Avery’s favorite childhood game being “playing teacher” & Cole’s favorite game being “who would win” in a battle between various animals (Nana always seemed to know the answer!) & sleepovers at Nana’s house with all of the kids were a favorite past time. Many enjoyable hours were spent in the kitchen cooking with the grandkids, at the pool with them, watching their sporting events, or just “hanging out”. Sharon was also very interested in genealogy, and spent many hours researching both sides of her family, as well as her daughters’ paternal lineage, and her sons-in-law’s heritage as well.
Sharon was an active member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Guthrie, Oklahoma, where she served on numerous committees over the years. She enjoyed singing alto in the church choir, and playing with the church hand bell choir. She also enjoyed attending the Guthrie Retired Teachers’ luncheons, & was an indispensable part of many people’s lives.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, George & Dorothy Engelking, one brother, Kenton Engelking, as well as by one nephew and numerous grandparents, aunts & uncles. She is survived by her two daughters, Susan Savory & husband Rick, of Guthrie, OK, and Carla Brown & husband Ken, of Yukon, OK. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Alexandria Ward of Keller, TX, Joshua & Taryn Ward of Guthrie, OK, Avery & Cole Cunningham and Katelyn & Mason Brown of Yukon, OK. She is also survived by her siblings: Janice Logsdon & husband Jim of Newkirk, OK; Maryln Springer & husband Gary of Newkirk, OK; and Gary Engelking & wife Stacey of Ponca City, OK, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, & friends.
Sharon passed away at her home in Guthrie, OK after a brief battle with Glioblastoma multiforme, a very aggressive brain cancer, surrounded by her children & siblings. Her family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dennis Clark & their church family from the First Christian Church, to Companion Hospice, especially Sharon’s nurse, Amber, and to all of Sharon’s many friends who have surrounded her with love and prayers in these last few months. Your kindness and love will never be forgotten.
Services will be held at First Christian Church in Guthrie this Saturday, November 1, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Graveside services in Newkirk will follow.
Be the first to comment on "Obituary: Sharon Dianne Engelking Waner"