Sharon Kay Simonson Harruff, 74, of Galveston, Indiana died Sunday morning October 15th, 2017 at St. Vincent Hospital in Kokomo.  She was born August 11th, 1943 in Clinton, Iowa to Einar N. Simonson and Wilma Paarmann Simonson.  Sharon and Norm were united in marriage October 25th, 1986 in Logansport, Indiana.

Sharon graduated from High School in 1961 in Grand Mound, Iowa and attended Clinton Junior College and Northern Iowa where she received her BA with a major in elementary education and a minor in history.  Her first teaching job was 5th grade for 10 years in Clinton, IA.

In 1975 she moved to Indiana and after a few years received her MS from IUPUI.  She also earned endorsements in reading and learning disabilities.  In 1978 she moved to Logansport School Corp at the elementary level and stayed until retirement.  Toward the end of her teaching career, her job became a cross-categorical teacher serving special education students.  She taught for 37 years. For the past 14 years she subbed for Southeastern School Corporation, where she continued to sub until the end of the 2017 school year.  She subbed through all 4 + years of her cancer and treatments.

Her professional activities included: NEA member since August of 1965, Indiana State Teachers Association since August of 1975, member of dues and leadership conference; special ISTA taskforce committees; state Governance committee member, representative to ISTA representative assembly; Logansport Education Association member since 1975 serving as corresponding secretary, 1st and 2nd vice president, bldg. representative, coordinator of LEA’s Gift Lift Program, and President; Howard-Cass-Carroll-Tipton Political Action committee since 1975 – servicing as co-chairperson and member; and district council member.  Her Gamma Mu activities have included being first vice president, recording secretary, legislative and literacy co-chairperson, member of the legislation and personal growth committee and president.  She served several positions in the Cass Co. Retired Teachers Assoc.  Community activities include membership at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Kokomo, volunteering for the Indiana Sports Corporation, Samaritan Caregivers, and the Circle City Sons of Norway Club.  Her Hobbies include reading, golfing, gardening, cross-stitching and traveling.

Surviving are her loving Husband, Norm; her children, Michael (Stephanie) of Indianapolis and Lisa (Todd) of Martinsville, IN; sons, Brad (Marcie), Jeff (Terri), Rod (Sandi) and daughter Nikki grandchildren; Tyler, Tanner, Jason, Trent, Cassidy, Eliza, Blaine, Ben and Brooke; great grandchildren Brooklynn and Abbey; siblings; Marcine Simonson, Einar E. (Janet) Simonson and Dale (Norma) Simonson; her mother, Wilma Simonson of DeWitt, Iowa and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Catherine Ann, her father, Einar N. Simonson, maternal and paternal grandparents, and many aunts and uncles.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 18th 2017 at Lutheran Church of our Redeemer, 705 Southway Blvd, Kokomo, Indiana with Pastor William Allison officiating.   Visitation will be held from 4 – 8 p.m. Tuesday, October 17th at Murray Weaver Funeral Home in Galveston and one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.  Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 19th at Elmwood Cemetery in DeWitt, Iowa.  Murray Weaver Funeral Home in Galveston has been entrusted with local arrangements. www.murrayweaverfuneralhome.com

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