Sharon K. (Youngdahl) Hanna

With faith and courage, Sharon Kathryn (Youngdahl) Hanna quietly went home on July 24, 2025 after a long and arduous journey through the realities of living with COPD. In her final year, she worked tirelessly—pursuing and enduring every available treatment and therapy—in hopes of regaining her health, strength, and mobility. While we are grateful that she is again whole and at peace we are profoundly grieving her loss.

Sharon was proudly welcomed into the world on June 2, 1948, in Duluth, Minnesota, by Ruth E. Hoppe. Due to the societal pressures facing single mothers at the time, Ruth made the heartbreaking decision to place Sharon for adoption when she was just four months old. Sharon was adopted by the Wackerfuss family in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she lived until the age of 19. Though her early years were marked by abuse and trauma; Sharon retained her deep inner strength, resilience and hope.

Sharon graduated with honors from Emanuel Lutheran High School in 1966. And then attended Bethesda Hospital Nursing School where she received her LPN certification in May of 1967.

On August 26th of 1967 she married John Youngdahl and they embarked on a new life together. While still living in Minnesota, Sharon and John welcomed a daughter and son into their family. And in 1973 the young family moved to Colorado Springs to begin a new chapter. Though Sharon and John divorced, their bond remained strong and they remained devoted friends, colleagues, and committed co-parents throughout their lives.

On May 18, 1985, Sharon married Ted Weber. And in April of 1988, Sharon and Ted welcomed a son, Cody to their family, adding joy and renewed purpose to Sharon’s life.

Throughout the years, Sharon supported herself and became a homeowner by remaining resourceful and multifaceted—working as a nurse, an optician, a realtor, and a licensed insurance producer. No matter the role, she brought kindness, intelligence, and creativity to her work. She gave her time, energy, and care freely and often—without hesitation or expectation.

Though the deep wounds from her childhood followed her into adulthood, Sharon never stopped seeking healing. She pursued therapy, entered recovery, and consistently reached for help, acceptance, and wholeness. Sharon achieved 28 years of sobriety this year—a monumental and inspiring milestone. Her unwavering commitment to recovery was an enduring act of courage and self-love. In the early 2000’s Sharon was blessed to find and reconnect with her birth mother, Ruth. Sharon reveled in the relationship with her loving mother until Ruth’s death in 2009.

Sharon was quick-witted, strove to be the best Mom possible, and found peace and joy in the natural world. She loved spending time with and doting on her grandchildren; going on camping adventures with her children; growing flowers, doing crossword puzzles, gardening, fishing, waterskiing, and had a deep reverence for all living things. Her homes were always warm, beautifully appointed, and full of life. She was a loving Mom and Grammy, a fierce Scrabble player, expert baker, talented cook, experienced seamstress, and a remarkable homemaker. Even her present-wrapping was a work of art.

She doted on every pet she was blessed to care for and took joy in the wildlife she attracted and nurtured wherever she lived. Her final animal companion Button provided solace, laughter, and joy to her life each and every day.

In her final days, Sharon was cared for with love and compassion at The Center at Cordera and by CenterCare Hospice. Her family extends heartfelt thanks to all the staff for their gentle support and attentive care. Deep and unending gratitude also goes to Ted Weber for providing Sharon with a safe home near her family and his kindhearted empathetic support during the last season of her life.

Sharon was predeceased by her birth mother Ruth Hoppe; her adoptive parents Hugo Wackerfuss and Dorothy Danner; her beloved John Youngdahl; and her cherished animal companions: Odie, Lenny, Squiggy, Scarface, Murphy, and Scarlet.

She is survived by her family: Christine, Kirsten, Becky, John R., Ted, Cody, Rebecca, Alec, Ryan, Rob, Emilee, Button, Liz, and her future grandchild. Each of them carries a piece of her generous, complex, and courageous spirit.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” ~2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Sharon’s celebration of life will be held a 10:00 am at Swan Law Funeral Home on Saturday, August 16, 2025. A reception will follow.