Sharon K. (Sterken) Passarella, 64, of Tinley Park, Illinois, formerly of Delavan, passed away on March 12, 2023, at Northwestern Palos Hospital in Palos Heights, Illinois.
She was born in Elkhorn on Sept. 8, 1958, to Edwin and Evelyn (Baar) Sterken. Sharon worked for many years as an engineer at AT&T. She ran over 40 full marathons and many half marathons including Athens, Rome, Marine Corps, California’s Avenue of Giants and many others. She was also very happy that she was able to hike the Grand Canyon twice from rim to rim. Sharon also enjoyed hiking, biking, traveling, skiing and snowshoeing.
Sharon is survived by her siblings, Gary (Sylvia Spinner) Sterken, Middleton, Cheryl (Bert) Leusink, Brandon, Charlene Skelton, Delavan, Karen (Dan) Medema, Delavan, Larry Sterken, Delavan; “adopted daughter” Jia Bao; and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Her Illinois family included the Yankee Anchors running group, who have walked this path with her for many years.
Sharon is preceded in death by her parents; brother-in-law, Dan Skelton; nephews, Steven Leusink and Eric Sterken.
Services were on Friday, March 17 at Delavan Christian Reformed Church, 850 Oak Street in Delavan.
Memorials can be directed to Susan G. Komen for the Cure at Komen.org and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at pancan.org. Monroe Funeral Home in Delavan is assisting the family.
