Sharyn Venice Hampton Oler

Our beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, and Friend rejoined her Heavenly Father on October 14, 2016 at her home in St. George, Utah surrounded by her family, who will always revere her. She lived her life surmounting many health challenges. Her courage and determination to not allow these challenges to diminish the joy of her life experience inspired all of her family and friends as a model in dealing with adversity in their lives. She will be greatly missed. She was born in Woodville, Idaho on June 19, 1934 to Clifford Wade Hampton and Zetta LaPreal Hess. She was the first of three children and was raised in Osgood and Taylor, Idaho. Her first eight years of school took place in the Taylor two-room school house. She graduated from Shelley High School in 1952 and completed cosmetology training at Idaho State College the following year. Sharyn first met her future husband, Kenneth Oler, at a Stake Youth Choir practice, and the acquaintance continued over the next seventy years. Sixty four of those years were enjoyed as husband and wife. They were married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on July 30, 1952. Their marriage was blessed with five children, Marc (Dawn), Kendy (Joe) Stiggins, Pamela (Brad) Hall, Val (Daniel) Walker, and Lori (David) Fanning. Sharyn is survived by her husband Kenneth, her sister Gaye Boyle, all of her children, 23 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren. Having been raised in a humble home in a rural setting, Sharyn yearned to expand her knowledge in many areas of her life. She shadowed her husband’s college English courses to improve her reading and language skills. Exposure to opera prompted much listening and reading to expand her knowledge in this area and led to a life-long love of classical music which graced the lives of her children in their home. Social etiquette and grooming practices were explored, studied and incorporated into the lives of her family along with the many young people who came into her life. Blessed with many talents, especially in art and music, Sharyn contributed much to the lives of those around her. Her backdrops, along with the making up of actors, enhanced many stage productions at the church and in the community. Many events were announced through the posters she created. Her grooming and dress standards were so admired that she was frequently asked to provide helpful clinics in these areas for others, which she willingly did. She enjoyed accompanying vocal soloists on the piano, and her self-taught accordion playing skills were enjoyed by many. However, it was especially in drawings and paintings that she self-developed her knowledge and talents. Many books on the masters, their lives and their works, found their way into her home, inspiring her in her efforts. She began expanding her creations from pencil drawings to watercolors and oil paintings. When her allergies precluded her further efforts with oils, she moved to acrylics and then finally to a very safe medium for her, colored pencils. The many paintings gracing walls in the homes of her family and friends will keep her in their hearts in spite of her passing. The culinary arts were also developed to such a high level in the preparation and presentation of food at her table that it was often asked of her husband by guests, “Do you always eat like this?” And of course, the answer was yes. As her knowledge expanded and health required it, she became a self-taught organic gardener. Beginning her work each day as the first hints of morning arrived, her efforts not only helped to improve her health and food presentations, but became a model for the neighborhood. Early in her marriage, of necessity, she became an accomplished seamstress, making clothes for herself and her husband in their student days. Later her girls were showcased in matching outfits, including colorful serapes during a family trip to Mexico. The capstone of her sewing efforts came when, as wife of the President of the California Dental Association and required to act as hostess for the group’s many social activities, she designed and created her own clothes, including evening dresses using sequin materials. Her talents and creativity also blessed the lives of her grandchildren. A visit of several days could see a cardboard box evolve from a car to a train to a space ship to a cave with all their associated adventures. And of course, all of the materials for their personal artistic creations were available and used. Her busy days were easily managed during these visits as she created games for the grandchildren focused around the work she wished to accomplish. Since her talents allowed her to deal with so many issues using unique and original solutions, she became a much used and appreciated consultant for her family and friends. This role has further inspired her family with the confidence for their own accomplishments so that they have become similar consultants for their families and friends. Finding the good in others and affirming it to them was another of her talents that allowed her to help enable them, especially her husband, with the confidence to achieve to levels they never imagined possible. Further, she confirmed to her husband their eternal commitment by always, in their 64 years together, acknowledging before anyone in any situation his position as the most important person in her life. She further affirmed this by never letting him leave the house without a kiss and a wave goodbye. Even though she has now gone ahead to await our eventual joining with her, we will still constantly see her in the contributions she has made to who her children and grandchildren have become. Our thanks forever go to our dearest Wife, Mother, Sister, Grandmother, and Friend. Goodbye darling until we meet again. The family expresses our heartfelt thanks to the Doctors and staff at Liberty Dialysis not only for the superior skills they employed, but especially for their warmth and caring as they assisted Sharyn through some challenging times. In her last weeks, the Red Cliffs Health and Rehab Center’s staff earned our gratitude for the manner in which they assisted and cared for her. Funeral Services for Sharyn will be held at the LDS chapel located at 1483 Angel Arch Drive at 11:00 AM on Saturday October 22, 2016. Visitation opportunities for the family and friends to share memories of Sharyn will be held in the Relief Society Room of that same building from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday October 21st, and from 9:30 to 10:30 AM on Saturday the 22nd immediately prior to the funeral service.

Sharyn Venice Hampton Oler

June 19, 1934 - October 14, 2016