Sharon Grace Granzow

Sharon Grace Hockett was born on June 15, 1940 in Eagle, Wisconsin to parents Helen and Neil Hockett. She was the fifth of six children and was lovingly called “Sherry” by friends and family. Sharon fondly remembered her family as large and boisterous with lots of singing, whistling and dancing. Shortly after graduating from high school in 1958, she married Alan Rupnow and together they had two children, Shelly and Scott. Spending most of her early years in Wisconsin and Illinois, Sharon and Alan settled in Ames, Iowa where she lived for 44 years before moving to Texas to be with her daughter at age 75.

Sharon was a curious person, always wanting to learn and grow. She started her career as a secretary and ultimately worked for the director of the Athletic Department at Iowa State University, thus making her a life-long supporter and follower of the Iowa State Cyclones. She then dove into Real Estate in the 1980s, becoming one of the highest earners in her firm.

Once retired, she focused on physical fitness, especially weight lifting – proving that you are never too old to get into shape. She was heavily involved with the Boys and Girls Club by raising funds and volunteering her time. She later became a director of the LIFT program at Dignity Memorial, a newly formed support group for widowed spouses. She developed a passion for painting and had many of her watercolor pieces in art shows across the Midwest.

Sharon loved to travel, but not just average beach vacations. Her favorite trips were to Alaska to participate in dog sledding along the Iditarod Trail, an adventure in Pasadena, California to work on a Rose Bowl float and a recent trip she took with her church to the Holy Land. She was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church where she found another passion – the Comfort Dog Ministry. Whether visiting a nursing home, retirement facility or on home visits with Triton, the Comfort Dog, she was always a faithful witness in doing the Lord’s work. According to those who worked with her, “Sharon’s infectious smile and hope-filled attitude warmed all the hearts of those she met.”

Sharon is survived by daughter Shelly Rupnow Markey and her husband Frank Markey, son Scott Rupnow and his wife Lisa Rupnow as well as five grandchildren – Anthony Rupnow, Audrey Rupnow Cornwell and her husband Zach Cornwell, Austin Markey and his wife Taylor Markey, Jillian Markey and Nicholas Rupnow. She remained close to her surviving sister-in-law Ethel Buchta and brother-in-law Tom Rupnow as well as many nieces and nephews she adored.

A memorial service will be held at Messiah Lutheran Church at 1801 W. Plano Parkway on Saturday March 19th at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Sharon’s name to the Comfort Dog Ministry at Messiah Lutheran Church.