Sharon Lee Parten

Sharon Lee (Stager) Parten, 74 of Grand Island and formerly of Columbus died at CHI Health St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island, on November 11th, 2016. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 Wednesday at Apfel Funeral home in Grand Island. To honor Sharon's wishes, cremation has taken place. Her family will be greeting friends before the service. Please wear blue if you think of it, it was her favorite color. A luncheon will be held afterwards at the Apfel Funeral Home Community Room.

Sharon was born November 15,1941 at Hastings, Nebraska, the daughter of Kenneth and Helen (Cole) Stager. She was preceded in death by her parents, a husband James L. Parten, and two loving step fathers, Frank Mabrey, and Vertice (Bing) Crosby. Survivors include two sons, William (Bill) Parten and wife Connie of Grand Island; and James (Jim) Parten also of Grand Island. Three grand children, Whitney Flower and her husband Cody, Nicholas Parten and Abigail Parten. Sharon also had two great grandsons which she adored, Porter Flower and Kenton Parten. She also has a sister Gertrude Vedsted, and a dear cousin Janelle VerSteeg.

Sharon lived many places during her lifetime, but settled in Columbus, where she lived from 1973 until 2015. She then moved to Grand Island to be near family. She graduated from Omaha Tech High School in 1959. She was married to James L. Parten in 1960, and had 2 sons. They lived the life of a service family living all over for many years. Stops in Omaha, Bellevue, Louisiana, Grand Island, Texas, Carter Lake Iowa, and Florida. She settled in Columbus to raise her two sons, until moving back to Grand Island. Sharon was very active in the Eagles Auxiliary in Columbus. Attaining the position of president. She also became a trustee at the state level. The Eagles club was her passion. She was also named "Mother of the Year". A book keeper by trade she worked for the State Department of Roads, Falcon Auto Parts, Columbus Industrial, and John Day Company.

Never afraid of a challenge, she went back to school in her 60's and earned her associate's degree in accounting. She made the Dean's list multiple times and graduated with honors. This was something her family was very proud of. She was also very proud of her family, and showed it daily. She enjoyed spending time with her kids and grand kids, decorating her home, and playing games with her neighbors at Chrysalis.

Condolences can be sent to: Bill Parten 24 Kuester Lake, Grand Island Ne. 68801.