Sharon L. Fortnum
Sharon Louise Fortnum, age 83, of Berlin, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Wednesday, November 16, 2022.
She was born January 31, 1939, in Spring Valley, IL, the daughter of Norbert and Ethel Helgeson Franz. Sharon was a 1957 graduate of Berlin High School. The following fall she attended Deaconess School of Nursing in Milwaukee, graduating with her registered nursing degree in 1960. On September 10, 1960, she was united in marriage to Richard “Dick” Fortnum, the love of her life, at Berlin United Methodist Church.
Sharon was a nurse at Berlin Memorial Hospital from 1969 to 1988. She also worked at Green Lake County Nursing Service and volunteered on the Berlin Ambulance Service. Sharon was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was an attentive friend who cared for those in need. Her hobbies included gardening, reading (book club), traveling and lunch dates. Sharon and Dick both volunteered for Friends of the Park in Berlin. She enjoyed taking trips with Dick when he was a car dealer, and after he retired, they spent many winter months in California. She was a former member of Federated Church in Berlin. She loved her garden and her garden loved her.
She is survived by her husband, Richard “Dick” Fortnum; two sons, Rick (Kelly) Fortnum and Scott (Krassi) Fortnum; seven grandchildren, Kendra Young, Jenna Young, Hunter Fortnum, Jake Fortnum, Max Fortnum, Maria Birova and Elena Marinova. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Clark Franz; sister, Marcy Buchholtz; and stepmother, Phyllis Franz.
Definition of success: She has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled her niche and accomplished her task; who has left the world better than she found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of Earth’s beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best she had; whose life was an inspiration and whose memory a benediction. Bessie Anderson Stanley 1904.
“This is the day the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, November 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at Barbola Funeral Chapel in Berlin. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Rebekah Tarras officiating. Entombment will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Green Lake County Animal Shelter and Berlin Public Library. Anyone wishing to send a sympathy card to the family, please mail to Sharon Fortnum, c/o Barbola Funeral Chapel, PO Box 201, Berlin, WI 54923.
Online condolences may be submitted and sent using the form below. You may also email condolences to the family through "barbolafc@yahoo.com". All condolences are private and sent only to the family.