Sharon K. Friet

Sharon K. Friet R.N. age 76 of West Salem, WI, passed away at her home on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 from her long fight with cancer. She was surrounded by her husband and 2 sons at the time of her passing.

Sharon was born in St. Joseph (Rural Lacrosse) on January 19, 1945 to Peter & Marie (Hundt) Schmidt and graduated from Aquinas High school. She later married Richard “Rich” Friet of Middle Ridge on October 26, 1963.

Sharon & Rich moved to St. Joseph after they purchased the St. Joe’s Country Market in the early 70’s. She always greeted everyone with a smile and maybe a little B.S. While owning the store they started an on the farm butchering service & installed gas pumps. They ran the store for 8 years. They also formed a local girls softball team with Rich as the coach. This team lasted for 10 years or so. Lots of good times kicking other teams’ butts.

Sharon always had a passion for caring for others and wanted to be a nurse. So they sold the store and Sharon went to nursing school at Western Wisconsin Technical College and graduated as an R.N. in 1982. She worked in many different areas; Surgical, OBGYN and ended up finding her true passion with Hospice (Home Health Care). She did this for 30 plus years until her retirement from Mayo Clinic. The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration heard about her loving, caring soul and were able to talk her into coming out of retirement a couple days a week until her illness prevented it.

Sharon was an avid gardener, always wanting to be outdoors in all seasons. She spent decades creating a beautiful garden along the La Crosse River. She truly would light up a room as soon as she entered; ask anyone! Her gentle, kind, huge heart loved spending time with family any chance she had. She very much enjoyed traveling and spending time with her friends.

Sharon was preceded in death by her Mother Marie, her Father Peter, two sisters Loretta, Millie and one Brother Peter.

She is survived by husband Richard “Rich”, sons Joseph “Joe”, Robert “Bob” (Carla) Friet, grandchildren: Noah, Melissa, Trevor & Cole, great granddaughter Ariyah, her Brothers Alan, Jerome and Jim along with sisters Betty, Donna, Eunice and Evelyn.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, June 4, 2021 at St. Leo The Great Catholic Church in West Salem, WI. Rev. Raja Kennedy will officiate. Private family burial will take place at a later date. Friends may call on the family Friday morning at the church from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be donated in Sharon’s memory.