Sharon Lagestee Obituary

Till today, always in my thoughts.
Claudia

I just learned of Sharon's passing. She and I were co-chairmen of the Crete Art Fair many years ago and we became fast friends. I recently returned to this area after 12 years in Tennessee and was anxious to renew our friendship. Sharon was one of the most genuine people I have ever known. My memories are so dear of Sharon and the fun times we shared. May God go with the entire family as they adjust to live without her.
Carol Beyer
564 Turnberry Drive
Bourbonnais, IL 60914

So very sorry to hear she had passed. We will definetly miss her around Crete and Crete Cruise Nights. Sharon and Bob would often come to Cruise Nights in Downtown Crete. Sharon and the family have been very kind and generous in so many ways to the Chamber, Crete and it's people. She will always be remembered. So sorry for your loss.

Rick Cobb
President-Crete Area Chamber of Commerce

Very sorry to hear of your loss. Very sad news indeed. We were out of town and just discovered she had passed. She had touched many people in the area. She will be missed.

We are saddened to hear the news about Sharon. She was extremely warm and hospitable. She was lots of fun and we will miss her. We are praying for your family.

Dear Bob,
Bob and I were very saddened to hear about Sharon's sudden death. We were in Florida and did not hear about it until now. We always enjoyed our time with you both. Our lives followed such a similar track. Our sympathy and prayers are with you and your family.

Sincerely,
Bob and Dolores Jones

Bob and family,
I was devastated to hear the news of Sharon's passing. My heart goes out to the whole family. Sharon was a joy to be with and work with. I have great memories of Band trips together.

My you always cherish the time God gave you together.

Dave Brummel

My sincere sympathy to all of you. May God be with each one. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Dear Bob and family,
We were in FLorida and didn't know of SHaron's passing until we returned. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to you all. When I think of Sharon I think of what a special, gracious lady she was and we were blessed to have known her. Prayers for your family as you survive without such an important person to you all. Seek the Lord for strength and guidance.
In CHristian love,
Cornel and Nancy Venema

Dear Bob and family of Sharon
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Sharon. Sue and I met Sharon only once at the Lagestee Reunion in 2000.
We enjoyed the few days of togetherness with Sharon and the rest of the family. Our thoughts and prayers go with all of you in your time of loss.

Dear Bob and Family
I was truly sorry to hear of Sharon's passing. I was on my way home from Florida when her services were held. I am happy I got Sharon our TTHS Class of 1960 reunion book so she could enjoy its contents. My thought and prayers are with you at the difficult time.

Dear Bob & family: I was shocked and saddened to hear of Sharon's passing.
She was a vivacious, fun loving and
gracious lady. I am praying for you and your family as you deal with her loss.

Dear Friends - We will miss Sharon so very much. She was such a unique lady - always upbeat and pleasant - and we were so pleased to introduce her as "our landlady" in Boca. We are praying for you all as you deal with her loss.

Dear Bob & Family: We were so shocked and saddened to hear of Sharon's death. We will always remember her as a most kind, generous and godly woman and a very dear friend. Bob we will keep you close in heart and prayer. Love, Ken & Grace

You have my prayers and sympathy on the loss of Sharon. She was always so friendly when she came into Walt's when I was working.

Belinda and Holly Britton

Such a gracious lady. She will be missed.

Dear Bob,
We were shocked and saddened to hear of Sharon's passing. Since we are in Idaho, we cannot express our condolences personally. She was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed. Her thoughtfulness and hospitality was extraordinary. Everyone liked Sharon, and I am sure that losing her will be difficult and painful in the weeks and months ahead.
Thankfully as Christians we do not need to grieve as others who have no hope. (I Thess.4) Easter is the great witness to Christ's victory over death. May you find solace and comfort in Him and in the promise of His Word. We are keeping you and your family in our prayers.
Sincerely, in Christian sympathy,
Richard and Joyce Blauw

Dear Ones...I am so sorry for your sudden loss. Sharon was such a lovely person and I am delighted to have known her and now to know that she is with our Lord. My deepest sympathy to all of you who are now separated from her for a time. Praise God that we can know that "His grace is always sufficient," and that we will be reunited forever with our wonderful Lord in Heaven....My Love in Christ. Char Santefort

Dear Paul and Diane,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We know that you will find peace in your fond memories of your mom.
With much love,
Brad and Brent Brewster

A very sweet woman who will be missed. God's peace to the family.

Our deepest sympathy to all the members of Sharon's family.

Mike & Diana Hesser

May your hearts be filled with wonderful memories. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy,
Dale Hobbs

Bob:
You have our deepest sympathies for your loss. The only reason I didn't stop by Smits is that I'm home taking care of Patti. She suffered a stroke six weeks ago, and fortunately is recovering well. I could easily be as you are now, but the Lord had other plans. Be at peace, knowing God doesn't make any mistakes. We will do our best to comfort you as much as we can with our prayers.
Gil and Patti Swets

Sorry for your loss.

John & Carole Sharpe

Bob and Family
You have our deepest sympathy. May God give you the peace and comfort at this time and in the days to come.

My thoughts, love and prayers are with the entire family. Sharon will be deeply missed by all.

My family's thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time of sorrow. Sharon will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her! Becky Brands, Russell Brands & Donna Rosengarten

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

May God provide peace and comfort to Sharon's family during this time of grief. Sharon was a remarkable woman, a blessing to those of us who knew her. She will be missed by all.

My thoughts & prayers go out to her entire family. I was blessed to have had many great laughs with Sharon & build a friendship with her over the years as she was my customer at Lowell Hicksgas. She will be missed dearly.

My thoughts & prayers go out to your entire family. Sharon was a very special person that I got to know over the years from Lowell Hicksgas. This really breaks my heart. She will be missed dearly.

May God comfort you during this very difficult time.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to Rachel & Rob Lagestee, and their entire family during this very sad time. May God comfort you during this time.

My deepest sympathy goes out to Sharon's family, she was truly a wonderful person who always brightened my day. She will be missed.

Joanne Hedrick (from Walt's in Crete)

Dear Bob, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. Sharon had a special gift in her friendliness to all she came in contact with. She had the greatest smile and was so young at heart. She will be missed. God Bless.
~Judy Sinise~ (former employee)

We are so sorry for your loss. All of your family is in our prayers. She was such a generous person in many ways and will be missed!!! RIP Sharon!!!

Rob & Joanne Forstall

Bob Sr. & Family,
The ones we love never really leave us.
They live on in our Hearts
with the fondest of Memories never to be forgotten.
May happy memories carry you through this sorrowful time.

Our deepest sympathy to you Bob, and the family on the loss of your love one, Sharon. Our thoughta and prayers are with you.

Frank & Bonnie Slyder Crete

My deepest sympathy to Bob and the Lagestee Family. I will always remember her as the "Mary Poppins" she used as her email trademark. You are in my Prayers.

Bob and family, My deepest sympathy to all of you. I know that God comforts you and holds you in His Hands but i also know what a tremendous adjustment is ahead for all of you. What wonderful memories we can all hold in our hearts for our loved ones who have left us. My daily prayers will be with you. Sincerely, Babs Zandstra

Bob, my deepest sympathy to you, your family & Sharon's friends & family. I am so very sorry for your loss. Sharon will be greatly missed.

Our deepest sympathy to the Lagestee family. You're in our thoughts and prayers. The Mark Devries family

Our Sympathy to you, Bob, and the family in the loss of your loved one, Sharon. May God bless you in the days to come. She will be missed by many.
Frank and Gladys Van Til

To Bob and family,
I am so sorry to hear from Ron of Sharon's sudden passing. I will remember her as a 4th of July sparkler who brought life and laughter to us all with her generosity and sunshine of spirit. May your faith sustain you in these difficult days.

Dear Bob & family,

I learned about your dear wife's passing at church this morning. Pastor Tol's message was very appropriate for both Easter and Sharon's homegoing, "I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES." May the Lord Jesus Christ who conquered death, and gave us a living hope, comfort you. "Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Amen

Robert Lagestee and family:

Bob,

All our love and prayers are with you. God truly moves in mysterious ways. May He give you understanding and strength during this grievous loss. Truly no one loved her more than you did, Bob, except Jesus, her Savior, who desired her to be with Him, to behold His Glory. Remember His promise - "We shall be together again forever with the Lord." Be open to His sufficient Grace day by day until then. We love you and will always treasure our friendship and time together. Our hearts are broken. Her loss is great. Have Thine Own Way, Lord. Be mericiful.

Love and prayers,
Rev. Bob and Cheryl Ritsema


In Sharon's honor I submit this poem I wrote some time ago and read recently at my father's and good friend's funeral:

LOVE WITHOUT FEAR

Brightness! Magnificence! Fear wrought by Awe!
God, among His angels, hovers over all.
I, in desired darkness, wish to remain hid;
But nowhere to hide. All is as He bid.

Trembling, shaken, as one dead;
I strangely look to the One I dread.
Piercing the strength of His Holy demeanor;
He tenderly beckons me in Love, not fear.

Puzzled by the mixture of cold and hot,
His Justice yields to what I deserve not.
A miracle occurs, twice born to make me whole;
Once in Eternity and once in my soul.

Jesus was first to experience them both;
Upon sin's evil heart, the fierceness of God was wroth;
But equally powerful His Father's hand was laid
Upon His soul when raised from the dead

In Jesus alone, I know God's Love;
Erasing the judgment from above.
In Jesus alone, the fear of death goes cold;
Clothed in His righteousness, and at the Judgment Throne bold.

Brightness! Magnificence! Unquenchable Love
Is now mine forever; with Him to live eternally above.
Along with joyous sinners, family and friends;
Who no longer know fear, but only Love that never ends.

Sunday, June 7, 2009
Rev. Robert D. Ritsema
"Thanks be to God for His indescribable Gift".