Sharon “Sue” Bakewell, 75, of Dubuque, Iowa, entered into eternal rest peacefully on November 23, 2025, at Hawkeye Care Center, surrounded by her family after a long and courageous battle with angiosarcoma and dementia.

Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm Sunday, November 30, 2025 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory .

The Mass of Christian Burial for Sharon will be 10:30 am Monday, December 1, 2025, at Church of the Resurrection with Father Phil Gibbs as the Celebrant. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery in Dubuque. 

Sharon was born July 18th, 1950, in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of John and Elvera (Pickle) Merritt. She graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1968. She met the love of her life Norbert Bakewell, and they were married on April 29th, 1972, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dubuque.  Together they were blessed with three children: Kevan (Kelly) Bakewell, Keith Bakewell, and Amy (Grant) Henn.

After high school, Sharon worked at Medical Associates in OG/BYN and Dermatology for five years. After a year of schooling, she became a medical transcriptionist at Dubuque Pediatrics, where she joyfully worked for 20 years before retiring in 2015. She and her husband were very active at Resurrection parish, where Sharon enjoyed serving in various ministries, including leading the Country Store during the festival.  Sharon especially loved camping, shopping, reading, and dancing with Norb whenever music filled the room. She also took her last name to heart by excelling at baking and especially enjoyed hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings.  She had a generous heart, a strong Christian faith, and cherished her family and friends deeply.

Sharon was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, godmother, sister and aunt.  She loved visiting family and giving hugs. Her smile and laugh could light up a room.  Sharon was a very faithful and loving wife whose relationship with her husband over their fifty-three-year marriage was a joy to all who knew them. She had lifelong friendships that she treasured, especially her dearest friends Mary Jo and Sherrie, who were like sisters to her. Her greatest joy was being with her grandchildren and watching them grow into wonderful people. Although she will be deeply missed by all who knew her, we find comfort knowing that her struggles are over and that she is finally at peace.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Elvera Merritt; her son, Keith Bakewell; Fr. Don Bakewell; Sr. Genette Bakewell; Jerry Pins; and Al Loewen.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Norbert Bakewell; her children, Kevan (Kelly) Bakewell and Amy (Grant) Henn; and her ten grandchildren: Shelby Sweeney, Jaden (David) Cullen, Leah and Megan Bakewell, and Garrett, Colin, Austin, Lila, Ivy and Violet Henn. She is also survived by her siblings: Robert (Rory) Merritt, Steve Merritt, and Bill (Laura) Merritt.

The family would like to thank the staff of Resurrection Catholic Church, Fr. Gibbs and Deacon Mike Ellis, Marilyn Loewen, Eileen Pins, Cozy Corner Adult Day Services, Hospice of Dubuque, and the Hawkeye Care Center staff for the compassionate care and support they provided to Sharon and Norb throughout this journey.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family.

Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Crematory is in care of the arrangements.

A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences sent to the family by visiting Sharon’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.