Sharon L. Gensel

Rockford—Sharon died suddenly Wednesday, April 26, 2017 in her sleep. Born February 19, 1946 in Aurora, Illinois to Elmer(Al) and Jean(Schuler) Rice. She was a loving person, who cared deeply about all those around her. As a wife, although recently widowed on February,18 2017, she truly loved her husband, Robert. As a mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and aunt, she gave everything for her family. In her career as a nurse, she was devoted to her patients. She struggled through unsurmountable odds in life, and overcame with faith, a smile, and hard work. She truly lived life to its fullest.
She was survived by her 1st son, Rob and his fiancé Jacqueline Murphy, and their daughter Madison; her 2nd son David and his fiancé Amanda Waffle, and their children Payton, Jorden and Daniel, and unborn daughter Charlotte; her 3rd son Mark and his son Danny, fiancé Hailey Royster and their unborn daughter Isabella; her mother Jean Perkins; her brother James Rice and his wife Janice Rice(Denbroeder), and their children Shannon Rice, Michael Belden and family, and Kelly Cleaveland(Belden) and family; her cousin Lynn Finch(Schuler), and her children Erin Shultz(Gossett), and Ryan Gossett; and her niece Brittany Hess, and her daughter Jacqueline; her niece Hailey Rice, nephew Nicholas Rice, and niece Lauren Rice.
Memorial Service 4pm Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory (S. Mulford Chapel) at 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Visitation from 3 until the time of service. Memorials may be made to the family.