Sherry Hamilton's Obituary
Sherry Lynette Hamilton, age 47, of Waupaca, WI, passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2009, at Cherry Meadows Hospice in Appleton, WI, after a 2-1/2 year battle with uterine cancer. Sherry was born on May 5, 1962, in Rice Lake, WI, to Robert and Rose Hamilton. She grew up and attended school in Chetek and graduated from Chetek High School in 1980. During childhood Sherry was a member of the Prairie Lake Eagles 4-H Club, and in high school she played flute in the school band and was a member of the pom-pon squad. She worked at the Chetek Bakery throughout her high school years. Sherry graduated from the University of WI – Eau Claire in 1985 with a degree in elementary art education and subsequently taught elementary art at the Waupaca Learning Center for 23 years. She absolutely loved going to work each day and cared deeply about her students, who affectionately referred to her as “Miss Ham.” Sherry was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Waupaca. Her belief in God and her church were very important to her. She often stated her faith was what gave her strength during her struggle with cancer. She had a passion for creating art, including beaded jewelry, stained glass and hanging window crystals. She had a beautiful singing voice and often sang at the weddings of family and friends, and she was a member of her church choir for many years. She enjoyed decorating her home, and spending time in her flower gardens and with her boxer dogs Hooch, Taz and Tucker. Sherry was preceded in death by her parents, baby brother Gerald Allen, nephew Greg Carpenter, niece Michele Davis Berning, and brother-in-law Mark Hanson. She is survived by one aunt, Celia Michalski of Bruce, WI, brothers Gary (Barb) Hamilton of Two Harbors, MN, Lonnie (Lynne) Hamilton of River Falls, WI, Jim Hamilton and Dean Hamilton of Chetek, and David (Sylvia) Hamilton of Fairview, TX, and sisters Joyce (Mike) Nelson, Karen (Gary) Hansen, Denise Hamilton and Janette Hanson of Chetek, Arlene Carpenter of St. Paul, MN, Donna (Chaiya) Hamilton of St. Louis Park, MN, Lindy (Rick) Urbach of Pell Lake, WI, Lisa Carlsen of Denton, TX, and former sister-in-law Brenda (Bill) Johnson of Clayton, WI, as well as 29 nieces and nephews and 33 great- and great-great nieces and nephews. Sherry is also survived by dear friends Larry and Donzella Anderson, Bobbie and Scott Studzinski and children, Kathy and Maya Kamrath, Linda Dahlberg, special neighbor Fritz Groholski, and countless school, church and community friends in Waupaca whom she considered to be her second family. A memorial service will be held at 12 Noon on Saturday, September 5, in the gymnasium at the Waupaca Learning Center with Pastor Larry Gross of the First Baptist Church officiating. Visitation will be held at the Waupaca Learning Center from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, September 4, and for one hour prior to the service. Lunch will be served following the memorial service at the First Baptist Church. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca assisted the family; a private family interment of remains will be held at Sheridan Cemetery at a later date. The family would like to thank Cherry Meadows Hospice for their tender care and support during Sherry’s stay there. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Sherry Lynette Hamilton Art Scholarship Fund or to a charity of one’s choice. HOLLY FUNERAL HOME
526 S. Main Street
Waupaca, WI 54981
www.hollyfuneralhome.com
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