Sharon Pillsbury

Sharon M. Pillsbury, age 86 of Fox Lake, died peacefully at home with her family by her side on Friday, April 4, 2025.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Fox Lake with Pastor Bryan Prell officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Memorial Park, Fox Lake. Relatives and friends may call on the family at the church on Thursday from 9 a.m. until the time of service. A fellowship luncheon will follow back at the church.

Sharon was born on Oct. 20, 1938 the daughter of Woodrow H. and Margaret C. (Hall) Mielke. She moved to Fox Lake with her family when she was in 6th grade. Sharon was a 1957 graduate of Fox Lake High School. She held various jobs after high school including the LaDella Art Studio and then with Green Giant Experimental Lab, both of Fox Lake. On July 25, 1959, Sharon was united in marriage to Donald “Speed” James Pillsbury at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Fox Lake. She was employed with the Waupun School District as a cook at the Fox Lake Elementary School. She earned a diploma from Moraine Park Technical College on Dec. 4, 1986 for School Food Service Assistant and was the first in the District to do so. Sharon retired, after 20+ years, as head cook and will always be remembered by many as the “Lunch Lady”. In her free time, she volunteered many hours to the American Red Cross Blood Drives, the Fox Lake Firemen’s Auxiliary, and became the local area Avon Lady. Sharon was a devoted member of 60+ years with the Fox Lake American Legion Auxiliary Unit 521. She was currently the Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms and on the Membership and Executive Committee, and also served as past Unit President. She was a faithful member of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Fox Lake. Sharon loved to watch the cardinals that flocked to her yard, doing gardening, canning and cooking, especially for her family. Sharon loved spending time with her Tuesday night ladies bowling team and the lunch gatherings with her girlfriends when time allowed. Most of all, she cherished every moment she spent with her children and grandchildren and spoke of them often.

Sharon will be sadly missed and mourned by her husband; her children, Wendy (Chris) Hopp of Green Bay and Ward Pillsbury of Beaver Dam; her grandchildren, Ashley Hopp (Josh Nawrocki) of Green Bay, Cassandra Hopp (Austin Bol) of La Crescent, MN, Jessica Pillsbury (Josh Zuba) of Hartford, WI and Abby (Josh) Greinert of Wauwatosa,WI; three great grandchildren, Violet, Nolan and Bodhi; her brother, Dean (Sherry) Mielke of Appleton; nieces, nephews, many other relatives and dear friends.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents; her step-mother, Irene Mielke; her step-father, Melvin Schwonke; and her sister, Patsy Schwonke.