Sharon Joy (Mann) Pappenfuss, age 89, of Appleton, passed away on Monday, September 22, 2025, at Living Tree Estates in Greenville, WI.  She was born on September 20, 1936 to Howard and Adeline (Peth) Mann in Toledo, Ohio.  She became a child of God through Holy Baptism at Trinity Lutheran Church on October 11, 1936.  An only child, Sharon became close with her many aunts while her father was serving in WWII.  Sharon was also confirmed in her Christian faith at Trinity, then attended Libbey High School in Toledo. She graduated from Libbey in 1954. Sharon made and kept many friendships at Libbey, later attending 20th, 40th, and 50th class reunions. Sharon chose to attend Doctor Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota to train to be a teacher.  It was there she met her lifelong partner, Earl Pappenfuss from Iron Ridge, WI. Before completing her college degree, Sharon was assigned as an "emergency teacher", teaching grades 1-3 at Bethel Lutheran School, in Menasha WI.

Sharon and Earl were joined in marriage on June 14, 1958, at Zion Lutheran Church, in Toledo, Ohio.

Sharon and Earl made their home in Beaver Dam, WI, where Sharon joined Earl on the faculty at St. Stephen's Lutheran School in Beaver Dam, WI.  Children Paul, Karen, Amy, and Andrew joined the family in Beaver Dam.  In 1967 Earl was called to teach at Bethel Lutheran School in Menasha, WI. Sons Mark and Nathan completed the growing family.  Sharon was a homemaker in every sense of the word; she became adept at sewing clothes for herself and the girls and learning how to can and process food. The well-stocked fruit cellar was something to behold!

Sharon took many classes at the UW-Extension in the Fox Valley and joined a Homemakers group, the Merry Moppets. One of her homemaker friendships led to many summers of cherry picking in Door County, where the family worked every morning in the orchard and enjoyed the beauty of Wisconsin in the afternoons and evenings.  Summer vacation from the classroom meant the family could travel.  The family of eight purchased a camper and hit the road, roaming from Washington, DC to the Badlands and Mount Rushmore.  It was a wonder that Sharon could pack all the clothing and supplies for her family in The Lark.  Perhaps her favorite place to camp was Hartman's Creek State Park, where she, Earl and Nathan served as camp hosts.

When the children were older, Sharon and Earl continued to travel.  They drove to visit family and friends across the country. Some memorable trips were an Alaskan Cruise, a journey following in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, and a visit to Czech Republic and Germany.

Regardless of where Sharon was, she took her Savior with her.  She made it a point to have a devotion with her growing family, whether it was around a campfire or a Christmas tree. She attended many Women's Christian Retreats and LWMS (Lutheran Women's Missionary Society) functions.

Sharon lived with dementia for the last several years of her life but remained always kind and always friendly.  Her family is thankful for the staff at Living Tree Estates. She and Earl were together earlier this year to celebrate their 67th wedding anniversary.

Sharon is survived by her children: Paul (Kim) Pappenfuss, Karen Pappenfuss, Amy (Brian) Maurice, Andrew (Kris) Pappenfuss, Marky (Holly) Pappenfuss, and Nathan (Jodi Soufal) Pappenfuss. His grandchildren Samuel (Karis) Pappenfuss and their children Reuben, Josiah, Elias and Abel; Krista (Josh) Byers and their children Ellowyn and Tobias; Remington (Rachel) Pappenfuss and their children Weston, Wyatt, Willow and Winter; Isaac (Monica) Pappenfuss and their children Ezekiel, Melchizedek, Benjamin and Boaz; Jaime (Eric) Pappenfuss-Stalker and son Gabriel Gandara; Ethan Maurice, Collin Maurice, Zachary (Rachel) Pappenfuss, Kaylin Pappenfuss, and Zebulon Pappenfuss. Sharon is preceded in death by her parents and her husband Earl, who went to heaven just 86 days before Sharon did.

A Christian funeral for Sharon will take place at 11am on Monday, October 6, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 302 N Morrison Street, Appleton.  Friends may visit from 10am until the time of service. A light lunch will be served after the service.  Burial will take place at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Woodland, WI at 3pm, that afternoon.  Memorials in Sharon's name may be directed to St. Paul's Lutheran Church or LWMS http://www.lwms.org or the organization of your choice.

9/25/2028