Sharon Rose Kasha

Sharon Rose Kasha, 90, of La Crescent, MN, former long-time resident of Crystal Lake, IL died Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Sharon was born on November 28, 1934 in Chicago, IL to Lawrence and Katherine (Dorgan) Howley. She graduated from Mercy High School in 1952 and then attended St. Xavier College for Women. During that time, Sharon met the love of her life, David Kasha, and on June 18, 1955, they married. Together, they had five children and filled their lives with nurturing and supporting their active family.

Sharon was an avid reader and loved to cook. She spent a lot of time enjoying her children and grandchildren play their various sports and followed her favorite Chicago and Notre Dame teams with the family. Family time always contained lots of laughter, good times, and Mom’s potato salad. Still to this day, the entire family gathers each Christmas and each summer (KashaFest) to enjoy each other’s company, to laugh, and to keep the family bond strong.

When Dave became ill with Inclusion Body Myositis, Sharon became his caretaker. He was her rock, and when he died in 2011, she mourned his passing greatly. However, although she missed him tremendously, she still clung fiercely to her own independence, which enabled her to proudly stay in her own home until this year.

Sharon is survived by her five children: Deborah (Mickie) Elsinger, James Kasha, Carol (James) Reider, John (Suzann) Kasha, and Janet Kasha; four grandchildren: Brian (Stacy), Kevin (Katie), Jessica (Wheeler), and Kelli (Paul); and five great-grandchildren: Reagan, Blaine, Abel, Quincy, and Ellie; a brother: Kevin (Barbara) Howley; a sister-in-law: Marjorie Sterkowitz; along with nieces and nephews.

A private family memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Holmen Area Food Pantry or to the Myositis Foundation. The family wishes to thank the staff at Benedictine and Mayo Hospice for their kind and compassionate care of our mom during this difficult time.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord…and let perpetual light shine upon her.