Sharon Jane Nelson

Sharon J. Nelson, known by some as Cher; her journey on Earth ended January 7, 2024, at the age of 72, at home with her children when she went to be at peace with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Sharon was born in Pasadena, Texas on October 6, 1951, daughter of Joseph A. Sr. and Gene T. Nelson. Sharon grew up in the Fond du Lac area where she attended Saint Louis Catholic grade school and Horace Mann High School in North Fond du Lac.

In June of 1972, she married Bryan Lee Dreyfus Sr., the father of her three children.  They later divorced but remained friends until his death in May of 2017.  She never remarried.

Sharon loved music; especially the Beatles. She had a beautiful voice and loved jamming out with family and friends around the living room or a campfire. She loved to dance and listen to tunes blasted and she rocked the dance floor with her moves.

In 1980, she cut a record titled "Thank you John", following the death of John Lennon.  Her parents believed in her talent and encouraged her to take this to a professional recording studio which she was able to do because of them.  She wrote the words to the song during the 10 minute silent vigil given to John Lennon.

Sharon also loved movies and TV shows. She was a loyal fan of Marilyn Monroe and collected several of her movies. Her tastes cover a lot of genres. From the slapstick comedy styles of the Three Stooges and Abbott & Costello to drama to science-fiction and fantasy. There is certainly no shortage of TV shows she enjoyed. Among her favorites were sitcoms like Friends and Hot in Cleveland. Family dramas like Heartland. Crime shows like The Blacklist, Castle, Lucifer, and Perry Mason. Sci-fi and fantasy shows like Star Trek, Firefly, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Angel. Honestly, we would run out of ink listing all of the movies and TV shows she enjoyed!

Sharon's deep love for family, especially her children and grandchildren, was truly reflected through the love and care they showed her in return until the very end.

She enjoyed playing games. Card games, board games, her father’s “Murder” game, and even "Words with Friends". She was frequently joined by family and friends to play games like Ten-Thousand, Sheepshead, Uno, Phase 10, and other games. She even, briefly, played a campaign of Dungeons and Dragons with her sons.

Sharon had a strong faith in God and every morning she would read her Charles Stanley, Jesus Calling and Our Daily Bread devotions and then she would talk to God (this is what she would call her prayer time).

She loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor. She lived life with true gratitude for everything she had. She often said "I'm so grateful God gave me my kids and grandkids on loan!". She was always happy for other people's blessings and content with the ones she had! Even with all of her struggles and pain in the last days she would remind herself "I'm sorry God there are people suffering way more than I am."

She always looked forward to her annual Sisters weekend in Wisconsin and visits to her sister Ann's.  She had a passion for cooking. More than a passion, really. She showed love through her cooking and she was amazing at it!  Just ask anybody who's had her homemade chili, German potato salad, or beef stew with dumplings. If you needed a recipe or an idea what to make for supper Sharon was the one to call. She could tell you every ingredient and how much off the top of her head.

Her holiday menu traditions were legendary. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and pretty much any holiday was an excuse to have an elaborate dinner with all the trimmings. The holiday season was a very special time, particularly Christmas time. She enjoyed spreading Christmas cheer in the form of home baked cookies! Family, co-workers, and even the UPS drivers loved coming by her house during this time! She was always waiting to offer them some tasty treats! She took great pleasure in preparing special meals to celebrate the birthdays of her children and grandchildren.

In life, her motto was “peace” which is how she truly lived her life.  She was the peacemaker of the family, to a fault at times. She tried very hard to never hurt someone's feelings.  She would often sacrifice what she wanted to save someone else from hurt feelings or to keep the peace.

In work, whether it was as a nurse's aid, a home caregiver, a cook, or a cashier she was, at her heart, someone who enjoyed serving others.

Sharon is survived by her three children, Bryan Lee Dreyfus, Jr., Jonathan David Dreyfus, and Desiree Ann Dreyfus; her three grandchildren, Anakin Andrew Dreyfus, Chelsi Jane Dreyfus, and Sean Steven Dreyfus. Sharon was one of six siblings, Mary Nelson, Elizabeth (John) Kulow, Phyllis (PJ) Mattson, Joseph A. Nelson Jr. (Sue), and Ann (Walt) Sinisi.

Sharon was preceded in death by her father, Joseph A. Nelson, Sr.; her mother, Gene T. Nelson; her ex-husband, Bryan Lee Dreyfus, Sr.; and her brother-in-law, John F. Kulow.

Funeral services for Sharon will be held at Grace Evangelical Free Church, 163 18th St. Fond du Lac, on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 11:00 am, officiated by Pastor Grant Baumgart. Friends and relatives may call on the family from 10:30 am until 11:00 am. A graveside committal at St. Charles Cemetery, Golf Course Dr., Fond du Lac will follow the services.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com