Sharon Hill, nee Natterstad, May 27, 1937 – February 1, 2023

Sharon was born to James and Agnes Natterstad in the small town of Paxton, Illinois on May 27, 1937. As one of the 2,800 or so Swedes in town, she grew up on farm fields, love, and thin, flat pancakes.

For the most part, Sharon had a happy and healthy childhood, despite a local tradition of requiring freshmen to knock their heads on the concrete steps before entering the high school. That, and some nasty bruises earned by catching the 2 lb. metal rod known as her drum majorette baton as it hurtled towards her from 20 feet above.

Sharon sang in the chorus, played French horn in marching and pep band, and played piano…and for her talents she was awarded a scholarship to attend University of Illinois in Champaign.

Later on, her pep served her well as she became the mother of three. An avid baseball fan, Sharon would pack sandwiches and take her young hellions to Wrigley Field to watch batting practice in the days of Ron Santo, Billy Williams and Fergie Jenkins. She was a school lunch legend…fellow students would jealously eye her children’s lovingly packed brown bags of sandwiches, chips and — the pièce de résistance — a HoHo. And as one of the loudest voices at track meets and basketball games, she cheered her youngsters on with a frenzied zeal. She was indeed, the best Mom ever.

Throughout her adult life, Sharon was a talented business woman and worked as administrative assistant and other similar roles for companies such as Arthur Andersen and Price Waterhouse. Perhaps the same vigor that inspired her to throw heavy metal objects in the air also fueled her desire to keep working through the last year of her life. She cherished her colleagues and friends at District 87 in Glen Ellyn, only reluctantly leaving when she became ill.

She was preceded in death by her Father, James Natterstad; Mother, Agnes Natterstad nee Leander; brother Wayne Natterstad; sister, Arla Jane Natterstad; beloved dog Chester and cat Snuggles. Sharon is survived by her three children, Jeff (Kelli), Krista, and Matt, and her seven grandchildren; Trevor, Gabrielle, Eli, Cecily, Elle, Will, and Ingrid, all of whom love and miss her dearly.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Sharon’s name to: the American Cancer Society or the ASPCA.

A celebration of life service will be held in the spring.