Sharon Kay Cornelius, 78, of Lake Mills, Wisconsin, and formerly of Andrew, and Monticello, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening, August 19, 2026, at Lilac Springs Assisted Living Center in Lake Mills, Wisconsin.

Sharon Kay Yappen was born on February 5, 1948, in Savanna, Illinois, to Clifton L. and LaVonne A. (Haley) Yappen.  She was a 1966 graduate of Andrew High School.  She married Richard Milo Cornelius on September 3, 1966, in Andrew, Iowa.  Two children were born to this union, Annette and Jonathan.

Sharon devoted her life to her family and to the many roles she filled with quiet strength and grace. She worked several jobs over the years, lastly, retiring from the Monticello Community School District, where she served as the lunchroom cashier and worked as an aide from 2008 to 2019.

A woman of simple joys and devotion, Sharon found happiness in attending church, tending her garden, reading, walking, and collecting family genealogy. She also gave her time to volunteering at local nursing homes, where her caring heart brought comfort to many. Above all else, she treasured time spent with her family, and those moments were among the greatest blessings of her life.

Those left to honor Sharon’s memory include her children, Annette (Jason) Shearier of Lake Mills, WI, and Jonathan Cornelius of Ely, IA; 3 grandchildren, Jessica, Justin and Nathaniel; 1 great-grandchild, Nadia; brothers, David Yappen of Edinburgh, TX, and Patrick Yappen of Maquoketa, IA; sister, Carol (Joe) Engler of Monticello, IA; and sister-in-law, Judy (Carl) Ganzer of Maquoketa, IA.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Richard on February 13, 2013, infant sister Jody, and sister Linda Cox.

A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M., Friday, September 4, 2026, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa.  Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 P.M. on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa.  Burial will be at the Union Cemetery, rural Maquoketa, Iowa.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.