Sharon Barngrover, 86, of Luverne, MN passed away Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD after a brief illness.

Sharon was born May 12, 1938 in Mapleton, IA, the daughter of Warren Ordway Nepper and Helene Mary (Ziems) Nepper.  She grew up on the family farm near Ute, IA and graduated from Mapleton High School in 1956. She married James Sperry in September of 1956.  To this union one child, Colleen, was born. The couple later divorced. In April of 1961, Sharon married Ronald Dean Barngrover. They welcomed 5 more children to the family; Dean, Glen, Scott, Jennifer and Emily.

Sharon was an active member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Mapleton, IA where she taught Sunday School and VBS for many years.

Sharon loved gardening, canning, cooking and baking.  She was especially known for her artistic birthday cakes.  She was an avid reader and lifelong collector of books. She enjoyed music and movies and good conversation over a cup of coffee. She was a lifelong learner who never tired of discussing books, documentaries and current events.  Sharon was known for her laugh that could fill a room. She always said when life was difficult you could choose to cry, or you could choose to laugh, and she always chose to laugh.

Sharon worked at many jobs throughout her life, but the majority was spent working in social work; first at the Florence Crittenton Center in Sioux City, IA, and then at Boys and Girls home in Denison, IA and the Boys and Girls home of Nebraska in South Sioux City.  She was dedicated to working with children and families, and many of her clients and coworkers regarded her as family.  She was always ready to be a second "mom" or "Grandma Sharon" to those who needed her.

While Sharon was proud of her work, what she was most proud of was her six children.  She instilled in them a strong work ethic, a belief that anything worth doing was worth doing well, and a unique sense of humor.  Her grandchildren were the apples of her eye. She started, with them, the unique tradition of Christmas gifts in July and sending all birthday cards and gifts late so they would be a surprise—intentional or otherwise.  She always planned to be punctual, but was inevitably late, which was all part of her charm.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children; Colleen Sperry of Polson, MT; Dean (Susan) Barngrover or Cleveland, MO; Glen Barngrover and Angie Fouts of Denison, IA; Scott (Jennifer) Barngrover of Platte City, MO; Jennifer (Larry) Herny of Myrtle Beach, SC and Emily (Brad) Jones of Luverne, MN; 8 grandchildren:  Matthew, Leah, Mardi, Nathan, Drew, Christopher, Liam and Elise; 10 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Barngrover; her parents, Warren and Helene Nepper; her brothers Warren Nepper Jr., and Curtiss Nepper; her sister Anneta, and her daughter-in-law, Coleen Barngrover.

A private family service will take place at a later date with the Dingmann Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Luverne.