Sharon Ann Skiba

Born into Eternal Life and reunited with her beloved husband, James E. Skiba on Monday, July 20, 2020 at age 83.  Proud and devoted mom of Sharilee, Shawn (James) Dauer, Eric (Mary Novak), James (Tom Kroscher), Samantha (Bob) Austin, Sara (the late Shawn) (Paul Krause) O’Neill, Glenn and Brent Skiba.  Loving grandma of Danielle and Joseph Dauer, Gabriella, Cassandra, Mikayla, and William Austin and Logan Skiba.  Further survived by her half brother, Robert (Peg) Smith, other relatives and friends.

Sharon’s husband, James, was said to be the family’s leader of the band. Sharon would then have to be considered the family’s leader of the brood.  She ran the household with love and order.

Sharon graduated Messmer High School and attended one year at teachers college (UWM). While working at a diner, Sharon met James, they fell in love, married, and started a family. This family, in turn, through the years, became rather large.

Sharon took the responsibility of performing two full-time jobs, raising a family and outside work, and she did it with conviction and professionalism. Sharon worked at the phone company, the Milwaukee Country Club, and the White Lantern Inn, the latter two as a waitress.  In her no-slacking attitude at home and at work, she got the job done and done right. Salt shakers and ketchup bottles had to be filled and bedtimes and chores had to be adhered to. The family was always together at dinner time, no exceptions. Sharon’s favorite times came when the whole family (the ten of us), were together.

Sharon also worked at the Simon House Restaurant, Sally’s Restaurant, Jack Pandl’s Restaurant, and Fitzgerald’s Pharmacy in Whitefish Bay. As she worked, some of her children saw first hand how diligent and friendly she was with her customers. While taking a food order, Sharon always told a story.  It was never about just doing her job, but making the customer feel at home.

At home, Sharon, a couple of times a summer, would take all eight children to the drive-in movies. A garbage bag full of homemade very salty popcorn and a thermos full of kool-aid were always prepared.

Sharon, in her great wisdom, decided to drive all eight children to Florida in the summer of 1978 to visit relatives and Disneyworld.  It was a great trip with many wonderful memories.

Two week vacations up north on Wolf Lake were also a family favorite.

Seeing her grandchildren, spending time with them, and watching them grow up added special joy later in life.

Sharon also loved making little gifts, spending hours creating them and handing them out individually. She learned how to make some of these crafts as a Girl Scout leader in her younger days.

Late in life, Sharon worked for Kohls in the service center answering calls. At the time of her retirement at the age of 79, Kohls held her job for six months, in case she wanted to come back.

The family all knew Jim and Sharon’s Yahtzee playing times. At these times, they were not to be bothered. Yahtzee was their moment in each day to be together.

Sharon, lastly but most importantly, was a very religious woman. Church daily, the rosary, and prayers were always a part of her day. The dream of being reunited with her husband, James, came to fruition, when in her sleep she passed away peacefully at the age of 83.

Visitation on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church,  7963 South 116TH Street, Franklin, Wisconsin from 10:30 AM until time of Mass at 11:00 AM.  Burial will be held privately.  Masks required.