Sharon Smutzler

Sharon Smutzler, age 82 of Cresco, Iowa passed away on March 12, 2025, at Barthell O.E.S. in Decorah, Iowa.

Sharon Lee Smutzler was born March 10th, 1943, to Adam and Adeline (Stroh) Ehley in Aberdeen, SD. She was the oldest to her siblings, Leta and Quintin.

She graduated from Leola High School and went on to college and graduated from North Dakota State Normal in Ellendale, ND with a degree in teaching and a minor in psychology.

On August 26th, 1962 Sharon married Arden Smutzler and they welcomed 3 children, Cully, David, and Susan. Their amazing love story continued for 57 years.

Sharon taught elementary school before starting her family. She continued her love for teaching and children and ran an in-home daycare center in Sleepy Eye, MN. Sharon and Arden were also foster parents to numerous children.

When they moved to Rushford, MN, Sharon was a substitute teacher and a bookkeeper at the Rushford Coop. In their final move to Cresco, IA Sharon worked at the City Hall from 1986 to 2008 during which time she served as the City Clerk of Cresco.

Sharon had a love and passion for gardening and flowers.  She could be found at anytime with her hands in the dirt, which she said was her therapy. Sharon also had a love for sewing and quilting and was a part of the quilting club at Cresco First Lutheran.

Sharon’s main joy in life were her grandchildren. She was “famous” for sleepovers, individual vacations, making holidays magical, popcorn in bed, numerous crafts.  She attended every event of her 6 granddaughters. She was also blessed to be here for her great-grandchildren. Even as her grandkids grew, she would call for check-ins and to remind them of her endless love, encouragement and that she always prayed for them.

Sharon was a kind, warm, quiet soul and loved hard. Her presence will be greatly missed.

Survivors include three children; Cully (Lynn Winter) Smutzler of Burnsville, Minnesota, David (Kelli) Smutzler of Decorah, Iowa, Susan (Adam) Ollendieck of Hamlet, North Carolina, Sister, Leta Guthmiller, brother, Quintin (Mary) Ehley six granddaughters; Emma Smutzler, Alexis (Parker) Benjamin, Paige Smutzler-Kelly (Brett), Tristin Ollendieck, Morgan Ollendieck, Cassidy Ollendieck-Whittle (Hunter) Great-grandchildren, Huntleigh Taylor, Lennox Taylor, Pax Benjamin, Berklee Ollendieck, Preston Whittle, Greyson Whittle, Oakland Whittle.

Sharon is preceded in death by her husband: Arden Smutzler, Parents: Adam and Adeline Ehley and Brother-in-law: Arlen Guthmiller.