Sharon Gollhofer

Sharon Marie Gollhofer was born October 27, 1935, the daughter of Louis Earl and Viva Marie Carter Allensworth. She died Saturday, February 25, 2012 at the Elmwood Care Center in Onawa, Iowa at the age of seventy-six.

Sharon was born in Henderson, Iowa where she grew up and received her education in the Henderson Community Schools, graduating from high school in 1953 as the class Valedictorian. She was also named on one of the All State Basketball teams. After completing her education, she worked for Mutual of Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska for a short time. She was united in marriage to Dr. Howard Henderson, January 9, 1955 in Henderson, Iowa. The couple was blessed with the birth of three children, but just a day after their third child was born, Howard was killed in an automobile accident. On May 19, 1966, Sharon was united in marriage to Earl Gollhofer. The couple settled in Charter Oak where they purchased Charter Oak Grain and Feed, Inc. They worked together until Earl died in 1986. She continued operating the company until selling it in 1990.

She was the first woman Town Councilman in Henderson and Mayor Pro-Tem. She was an active, long-time member of the United Methodist Church. In her leisure time, Sharon enjoyed the piano and other forms of music, reading, traveling, spirited games, and the cats she had through the years. She was especially avid in following her grandchildrens sporting and music events. She also enjoyed attending her daughter's marathons.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Howard in 1958 and Earl in 1986; three brothers: Donald, Keith and Dwight; and a half-brother, Cecil. Survivors include four sons: Robert and his wife, Colleen; David and his wife, Tamara; Scott; Stan and his wife, Connie; two daughters: Judith and Susan; thirteen grandchildren, Joseph, Jennifer; Emily; Jake; Cody; Mary; Annie; Nicole, Kimberly, Adam; Natasha, Rob, and Tom; one great-grandson, Nolan; three sisters-in-law, Alice; Helen; and Clara; one brother-in-law, Earl; and special friends, Tim, Rome, Debbie and Andrea; other relatives and many friends.