It is with deep love and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Sharon, who left us on November 14, 2025. She passed away peacefully at home with her beloved son by her side, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

Born on May 8,1953 to Arthur (Tom) and Lucille (Bechert) Vorpahl, she was the third of five children. She grew up alongside her siblings: Carol, Brenda, Wayne and Marion forming bonds that lasted a lifetime. In Horicon, she attended and graduated from Saint Stephen's Parochial School grades 1-8 and Horicon High School 1971. Soon after graduating, she moved to Appleton where she worked at AAL, G&R Agency, and Buxton O'Neil Agency. She was wed to Ronald L. Bergsma on April 14, 1984.

Sharon lived a life defined by extraordinary strength and resilience guided by her faith and love of family and friends. Her faith was centered not only by her upbringing, but also by her involvement in Faith Lutheran Church in Appleton. She faced many challenging moments life can place before a person, yet she met every challenge with courage and faith, with the support of many friends and family who she cherished dearly.

Foremost in her life was her love of family, which never wavered. Her unconditional love was a constant thread woven through every chapter of her life, steady and true. She loved fiercely, and without hesitation, and her family and friends always felt that love.

Sharon loved theater, music, and sports. She never missed her children's sporting events and continued attending theater performances and sporting events of her nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends despite any physical challenges she developed. She was deeply grateful to all those who welcomed her and helped her make that possible.

Sharon is survived by her children: Aaron A. Bergsma, Madison, WI and Abigail 'Abby' A. Bergsma (Meg Fagundes) San Diego CA., her siblings: Carol Nehls, Johnson Creek, Wayne (Art Vietro) White Plains, NY and Marion (Jim) Roovers Kimberly, Wi; brother-in-law Daniel (Teena) Bergsma Chicago, IL and sister-in-law Kathryn McKeogh, Albany, NY. In addition, she is survived by many generations of nephews, nieces and cousins.

She was preceeded in death by her parents Tom and Lucille Vorpahl, her husband Ron Bergsma, her sister Brenda (Vorpahl) Binder, her mother in-law Beverly (Peterson) Bergsma, and father-in-law Dan Bergsma.

A memorial service for Sharon will be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at Faith Lutheran Church at 11:00 am with Paster Aaron Rosenau officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am and continue until the time of the service. Following the service, a celebration of life luncheon will be served at the church. She will be laid to rest in Highland Memorial Park, Appleton

Her family would like to thank the wonderful staff at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center and Rennes Health and Rehab Center for showing her such respect and kindness in her final weeks. Sharon had nothing but positive things to say about the dozens of nurses who helped her along the way.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Scietey, which had a significant and positive impact on her life over the last 6.5 years. It was one of her favorite charities to donate to.

Sharon will be forever missed and remembered by all who knew her.