SHARON DODD

Sharon Dodd, age 79, of Sugar Grove, passed peacefully while surrounded by the love of her family on Monday, May 9, 2022.

She was born the youngest of seven children April 10, 1943, in La Crosse, WI, to loving parents, Benhard and Lucille Bearson.

Sharon grew up in Lanesboro, MN, and attended local schools. She graduated from Lanesboro High School with the class of 1961, making many lifelong friendships that stood the test of time. 

Sharon continued her education at Winona State before travelling to Rochester, MN, to be a caregiver to a local family. In 1963, she took a job in Ames, IA, sponsored by the Lutheran Church, continuing her caring ways as a counselor in a home for emotionally disturbed children. 

Jim Dodd, fresh off a stint in the Peace Corps, moved to Ames in January 1965 with a temporary position at ISU became a volunteer to play basketball with the children and was impressed with councilor Sharon. They met in February and after a whirlwind courtship, they were united in marriage on August 21, 1965.  They began their new life together in Manhattan, KS, where Jim continued his education and Sharon did various temporary jobs. Sharon and Jim welcomed a daughter Kelsey a year later before moving on to Knoxville Tennessee for more graduate school for Jim. They lived in student housing for three years. The family grew by one with the addition of Kathryn by the time Jim finished that degree. In 1970, the family moved to Normal, IL where Jim did his post doctorate work. An outbreak of a major corn disease led to position aw plant pathologist with Cargill Seed Company. The family, who by now added a son, Matt, moved to Sugar Grove, Illinois.  Sharon continued to be mother of three, an active Brownie and Girl Scout leader, often caring for the kids alone while Jim traveled for his work.

In 1987, Cargill left the seed business, so Jim and Sharon started their own company complete with laboratory and greenhouses. Sharon participated not only with physically with greenhouse work but meeting with many seed company clients in the USA. Her friendly manor fit nicely with the many other family-owned seed businesses. She was CFO of their company   As their business grew, their adult children became active in their Professional Seed Research Inc. business.

Sharon’s friendliness and ambition to participate in family income and her entrepreneurial spirit by starting Ferns Unlimited. It was a basement-based company where she cultured ferns that were later sold to local garden clubs where she was often asked to speak to many different groups. Jim’s job included multiple trips, some of which Sharon also accompanied. One of the notable trips was to Hyderabad India. The plane crashed on take-off on the return trip. Sharon opened the back door of the plane. They jumped and ran until a villager offered a rickshaw ride back to the airport.  Flying was not easy after that experience but still she and Jim did later enjoy business trips to France and Argentina.  Sharon was a wonderful mother and, later, grandmother who relished any time she could hold a baby in her arms. Sharon kept her home spic and span, made sure everyone’s needs were met and still had an overabundance of love that helped her balance work and home life. 

She leaves behind her loving husband, Jim Dodd; three children: Kelsey (Robert) Johnson, Kathy Moses and Matt Dodd; 6 grandchildren: Haley Johnson, Conor (Maddy Kelly) Johnson, Nick (Tania) Moses, Alex Moses, Sabrina Moses and Maddie Moses; one sister, Darlyne Whitman; many nieces, nephews, and an international family of friends.  

She joins her parents, Benhard and Lucille Bearson; 5 siblings: LaVerne Bearson, June Wolf, Bob Bearson, Dale Bearson, and Darrel Bearson who preceded her in death. 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Sharon’s name. Checks may be made to the “Sharon Ann Dodd Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.