Sharon Hortsch

Sharon Hortsch, 64, went to live with the Lord on Thursday, Jan. 3. She passed away from complications due to lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis. She was preceded in death by her mother, Jean Alderson, and her father, Warren Wilson. She is survived by her husband, Jerry Hortsch; son Jeff; son Brian and wife Kimberly; granddaughters Holly and Heidi; sister Patricia Collier; uncle Jim Tibbits; uncle Truman and wife Polly Tibbits; two brothers-in-law; one sister-in-law; 10 nephews; and four nieces. At the age of 3, Sharon and her family moved from her birthplace, Spearfish, S.D., to Oregon. She attended schools in the Salem area and graduated from North Salem High School in 1961. Sharon and Jerry had a loving marriage of 44 years. She worked at the Salem DMV and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs prior to moving to Corvallis in 1967. She worked for the Oregon State University Food Science Department and for Derle Olson, CPA. Sharon and Jerry owned Benton View Realty in Corvallis for 20 years. Sharon was a very devoted and caring mother to her sons. She also cared deeply for Marcus Kopsan, an exchange student from Germany who the Hortsch family hosted. Sharon was a Cub Scout den mother and was also very involved in her children’s athletic activities from grade school through high school. Sharon was a past president of the Corvallis Junior Women’s Club and as a member helped develop and operate the Avery Park Touch & Love Petting Zoo. Sharon was also a past president of the Corvallis Lady Elks. Sharon and her family enjoyed camping throughout the state of Oregon and traveling across America in their RV. Sharon’s favorite trips included Germany, Hawaii and various cruises with her friends. She loved reading romance novels, antiques and was involved in home interior decorating for several years. Sharon was an excellent seamstress and knitter. Friends and family benefited from her talents as well as other cancer patients wearing knitted hats that she made in her last months. The last four years of her battle with health issues were temporarily alleviated by frequent visits by granddaughters Holly and Heidi, who loved their Gagga and will miss her very much! Condolences for the family and memories of Sharon can be shared at www.sharonhortsch.com. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 501 N.W. 25th St., Corvallis, with a reception immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers and gifts, contributions can be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis or Vina Moses in care of McHenry Funeral Home, 206 N.W. Fifth St., Corvallis, OR 97330.

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Sharon Hortsch

September 25, 1943 - January 3, 2008