Sharon Elms-Wilson

Born at home on February 1, 1940, and raised in Rockport, Kentucky, she was the daughter of Hazel (Burden) and Hugh Heltsley and sister to Janis, Gayla, Steven, and Donna. Rockport was such a small town that Sharon had to travel to Beaver Dam, Kentucky to attend high school. Following high school, at the age of 17, she left home and married Randolph Elms. They moved to Indiana and started a family, welcoming five children together. Sharon and Randy later parted ways.

Circa 1980, Sharon found a forever love and married Thomas Wilson. In 1985, Sharon and Tom relocated to Colorado to be closer to family. Together they enjoyed the outdoors and collecting unique treasures along the way. They enjoyed spending time together at their property just south of the Wyoming border finding ingenious ways to live off the grid such as erecting a windmill, teepee and compost outhouse.

Sharon was a caregiver at heart. She was also a very determined woman. After becoming a mother of five, she went back to school and completed her bachelor's degree at Purdue University with a focus on early childhood education. She later ventured into healthcare, becoming a Licensed Practicing Nurse and providing direct care for mentally disabled adults.

As a lifelong learner, Sharon's thirst for knowledge was unquenchable. She was an avid reader, always making time to exercise her mind. She was always aspiring to know more, to learn more, and to do more. She became educated in any topic where her natural curiosity took her. Her interests were vast. She was the go-to for information on essential oils and astrology. No topic was off limits to Sharon. If there was a class offered at the rec center, even if it was polka dancing, Sharon was there.

Sharon was a very kindhearted person. She was thoughtful and always thinking of others. She was quite intuitive and could anticipate the needs of others, and assist in whatever way she could. She was always there for the people she loved. She was very easy-going, never taking life too seriously. Sharon was also funny. She had an endearing sense of humor, a highly developed sense of irony, and loved a good laugh. She was sharp, intelligent, and witty. Life was for living for Sharon and she did not sit by idly and let it pass her by.

Sharon’s one true passion and dedication in life were her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, who describe her legacy as one of enormous love, unwavering loyalty and support for her family and her endless depth of kindness.

Sharon is survived by her children Timothy Elms (Elfie), Joseph Elms (Jackie), Cristie Elms, and Aimee Elms; grandchildren Angie Keller (Stephen), Brittany Robison (Steve), Ethan Williams, Azia Jackson, Alyson Jackson, and chosen granddaughter Iris Schloesing; and her great-grandchildren George Keller and Evaleigh & Logan Robison; as well as her sisters Gayla Haakinson and Donna Holwegner (Jim), and her brother-in-law Leo Volk. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Wilson, her daughter Sherry Elms, who passed away at the age of 7, her sister Janis Volk, her brother Steve Heltsley and his wife Nancy, her brother-in-law Richard Haakinson, and her parents.

Sharon was a treasure. She will always be dearly missed.