Sharrey Ann Kettner (Sauer)

Sharrey Kettner lived a life filled with love, laughter, adventure, and unwavering devotion to her family. She was the proud mother of three daughters: Sharrey Kalbus, Sarah Holliday, and Kathy Vallery.

Her grandsons, Stephen and Darien Peniston, were the lights of her life and among her greatest joys. She shared countless adventures with them through the years, from afternoons at the park, visits to zoos and museums, memorable road trips, weekends in The Dells, fishing and boating at Nana-Pom’s, and many vacations to Disney World. As they grew older, that special bond only deepened. Stephen visited from Baltimore whenever he could, and Darien and his wife, Sara, remained a constant and loving presence in her life. She was overjoyed that she was able to attend Darien and Sara’s wedding in June, it was a beautiful day that holds precious memories.

One of the traditions Sharrey cherished most was Wednesday family dinner night. It was never just a meal. It was time spent together sharing stories, laughter, updates about life, and creating memories that would last forever. Whether celebrating birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, or simply gathering around the table on an ordinary Wednesday, family was always at the center of her happiness. Some of her most treasured moments were those spent surrounded by the people she loved most.

To those who knew her best, Sharrey was much more than a mother, grandmother, and friend. She was a cheerleader, a confidant, a source of wisdom and comfort, and the kind of person who could always be counted on. To Kathy, she was not only a mother but also a best friend whose love, encouragement, and support never wavered.

Although she never got around to writing the Erma Bombeck-style book she often talked about, she certainly lived a life full of stories worth telling. Her quick wit, infectious laughter, and ability to find humor in everyday situations made her unforgettable. She had a gift for turning ordinary moments into memories and making the people around her feel loved and appreciated.

Because she couldn't always join every adventure in person, her family created "Flat Gramma," inspired by the children's book Flat Stanley. Flat Gramma traveled near and far with Kathy, Melvin, Darien, Sara, and Stacy, appearing in photographs and sharing in their journeys around the world. She went on road trips, cruises, rode roller coasters, did shots, and experienced countless adventures that kept Sharrey right at the heart of the fun. Though she may not have been there physically, she was always part of the adventure.

Sharrey enjoyed life's simple pleasures, including many of the "gross things" that only she and Sara seemed to appreciate, especially potato salad! Nothing ever beat Darien's made-from-scratch carrot cake or his grilling.

She loved spending time on her iPad playing games, keeping up with family and friends on Facebook, and, of course, printing things. She took joy in staying connected and knowing what was happening in the lives of those she loved.

She was one of Darien's biggest fans, faithfully attending football games throughout his middle school and high school years. She even made it to a few college games and later proudly followed his coaching journey with eighth-grade football. She loved hearing Stephen's stories and updates from Baltimore and always looked forward to his visits. She especially enjoyed keeping up with his music, hearing about the bands he played with, following his tours and travels, and getting updates about his beloved cat, Bette. Nothing made her happier than seeing her grandsons succeed, grow, and build lives of their own while remaining close to family.

Sharrey was also blessed with many strong, loyal, and lifelong friendships. Some of her closest friends had been by her side since high school, sharing decades of memories, laughter, celebrations, and life's challenges. Her friends meant the world to her. Whether through visits, phone calls, cards, letters, or simply checking in on one another, she nurtured and treasured those relationships with remarkable care. She loved receiving mail and took great joy in sending cards and letters to let others know she was thinking of them. Her friends, both near and far, became an extension of her family, and their love, loyalty, and companionship enriched her life beyond measure.

Today, her family finds comfort in believing that she is once again free to move, walk, explore, and embrace those she has missed for so long. They take solace in knowing she has been reunited with her Mom, Dad, Dale, Jimmy, and all the loved ones who went before her.

More than anything, Sharrey will be remembered for the love she gave so freely. Her family was the center of her world, and she took pride in every milestone, every visit, every phone call, every card, and every moment spent together. Her kindness, strength, humor, and generous spirit touched countless lives and will continue to be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Per Sharrey's wishes, there will be no formal funeral or memorial service. Instead, family and friends are invited to gather in her honor at The Machine Shed on Sunday August 30 at 1pm. This Dutch treat gathering will be an opportunity to share stories, laughter, and memories of a life wonderfully lived, just as Sharrey would have wanted (a big Wednesday family dinner, if you will).

Thank you to all the amazing, kind, and patient staff and caregivers that took such good care of her at Care Partners, she enjoyed hearing about your lives, relationships, what to watch, school and all the gossip. She formed an amazing friendship, with Pat, who was more than her table-mate…they shared laughs, stories and dozens of books.

In lieu of flowers, Sharrey's wish was that memorial contributions be used to help with final expenses not covered by her burial trust.

Memorial contributions will help provide keepsake urns and other meaningful memorial tributes for her daughters and cherished grandsons, Stephen and Darien, as well as the installation of a headstone so that family and friends will always have a special place to visit, remember, and celebrate her life.

When asked what she wanted people to remember about her life, her answer was simple…

"I had a good life." ❤️