Sharon M. Hamel, 83, of Dubuque, IA passed away on Sunday February 4, 2024, at Bethany Home.

Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., with a rosary service at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, February 8, 2024, at the Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 JFK Road, Dubuque. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 9, 2024, at St. Columbkille’s Catholic Church with Rev. Tom McDermott officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Sharon was born on June 2, 1940, in Placid, IA, daughter of John Faley and Bernice (McDermott) Faley. She married William J. Hamel on July 15, 1959, at St. Columbkille’s Catholic Church.

Sharon raised six very energetic children while Bill worked full time at the Dubuque Packing Company and full-time operating Hamel Sodding and Landscaping (and snow removal). Sharon was a crucial part of the family business. Her duties were wide ranging and included, but were not limited to billing, accounts payable, taxes, and hosing her sons down in the yard after they spent a hot and dusty day laying sod. After her own children were out of the house, Sharon worked at the Nativity Day Care for many years.

Sharon was a wonderful conversationalist and had an excellent sense of humor. She was an avid reader and enjoyed many different kinds of puzzles.

Sharon was a loving wife and mother, and her grandchildren had a special place in her heart. She also had a special bond with her granddog, Sweetie.

She handled life with resilience, serenity, faith, gentleness and starch in her spine.

Sharon is survived by her husband, William J. Hamel; six children, Dirk (Lorilee) Hamel, Vicki (Dave) Sullivan, Scott (Tara) Hamel, Doug (Lynn) Hamel, Kari (Richard Stanford) Hamel, Jodi (Curt) Graff; four siblings, J. Michael (Sharon) Faley, Norene Ruden, Joseph (Lisa) Faley, and Carol Tellefson; ten grandchildren, Erin (Dan) MacDade, Will (Jenni) Sullivan, Jack (Kylee Metzger) Sullivan, Owen Hamel, Jami Hamel, Seiji Stanford, Fiore Ren Stanford, Kai Stanford, Mary Catherine Graff, and Gabriel Graff. She is also survived by one great-grandchild, Callan Sullivan MacDade who was born just three months ago. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers-in-law, Richard Ruden and Terry Tellefson.

A Sharon Hamel Memorial Fund has been established.

Sharon’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at Bethany Home, Hospice of Dubuque, especially Angela, Dr. Chad Nachtman and his staff, and Julie Ehlinger, ARNP and her assistant Mikayla.

The Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Funeral Home and Crematory is entrusted with arrangements.