Sharon Kay Kinzler

Sharon (Giesler) Kinzler was born on March 31, 1945 to Oscar and LaVern (Klettke) Giesler in Kulm, ND. She grew up on a farm 8 miles south of Kulm and graduated from the Kulm High School in 1963. She attended Ellendale State Teachers College in the summer of 1963 to begin studying as an Elementary Education major and taking college piano instruction. On June 5th 1964 she wed her high school sweetheart, Brunno Kinzler. In 1965, they had their first child, David, and moved to Ashley, ND where they spent three years. During this time, they had another son, Kevin. While living in Ashley, Sharon shared her gift of music by teaching piano lessons. In the spring of 1968, they moved to Monango, ND, where they farmed together and started a dairy operation. They had a third child, Melissa, in 1971. They continued to farm and raise their family through the years while enjoying friendship with numerous neighbors and family. In addition to all this she was blessed with 8 wonderful grandchildren. Sharon did all kinds of special things with her grandkids, such as teaching them to play the piano and having “back to school” parties every year. In 1998, Sharon went back to school and received her LPN license through an online program from North Dakota State College of Science. Sharon worked as an LPN at Oakes Community Hospital and spent 5 years doing what she loved. Due to health complications, she left her job as an LPN at the hospital and was later diagnosed with cancer. With trips to Mayo for chemo and loving support from her family and friends, she beat the cancer and felt she was the luckiest person to be alive. As a result, she continued to garden, played with Jake (her beloved cat), and enjoyed playing piano once again. She was a member to the Homemakers group in the community and enjoyed the fellowship of her church –The Nazarene Church. In 2008, Sharon was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a degenerative disease of the cells in the brain stem. Sharon entered Prince of Peace Nursing Home in Ellendale August 13, 2012, where she remained until she went to be with the Lord. Throughout her life, Sharon’s kind and thoughtful personality inspired those around her, and she was truly a blessing to her family and friends. Surviving family includes husband Brunno Kinzler, sons David (Sue) Kinzler and Kevin (Chari) Kinzler of Monango, ND and daughter Melissa Worrel, Aberdeen, SD. Grandchildren Tyler (Katie), Kyla, Carly, Kassandra, Cody and Karissa Kinzler and Nicola and Nataye Worrel. Mother, LaVern Giesler of Ellendale, sister Shirley (Rich) Giles of Redwood Falls, MN and brother, James (Lynda) Giesler of Kulm. One great granddaughter is on the way. She was preceded in death by her father, Oscar Giesler. The funeral is 10:30am Monday August 19 at Church of the Nazarene, Ellendale with Pastor Tim Brown officiating. Visitation is 2-8pm Sunday with a prayer service at 7pm at Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale. Visitation continues Monday one hour before services. Burial is at Monango City Cemetery. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel.