Sharone C. Zielke, 87, of Freeport, IL, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025 in Elgin, IL, lovingly surrounded by her family.  Sharone was born on March 30, 1938 in Stanley, WI, the daughter of Phillip and Helen (Etten) LaBlanc.  Sharone was a graduate of Stanley High School where she played the drums in the marching band and was also a cheerleader.  After leaving Stanley, Sharone moved around to a few locations until she settled in Milwaukee WI and fell in love with the city.  Sharone shared an apartment with her dear sister Maureen on Cass Street and loved every single moment of their adventures in the city.  Whether it was meeting up with friends to have fun on the weekends, going to the lakefront to enjoy the beach, shopping around the city or having hot ham sandwiches on Sunday after attending church at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, every moment turned into a cherished memory.  Sharone was a licensed beautician, having completed her education at the Eau Claire Beauty School.  She worked as a beautician at Gimbels and also for Mr. Jabs. It was in Milwaukee that Sharone met her husband the one and only E. Ronald (Jake) Zielke.  They started their family in Milwaukee and eventually settled in Freeport, Il..  Sharone continued her profession as a beautician at St. Joseph's Nursing Home and then later in her career moved into senior care, leading the activities department. Without need for acknowledgement, she often visited and brought the residents special gifts and personal care items which she purchased out of her own pocket. Sharone was also diligent in ensuring that people who needed any kind of help were put on the "prayer chain". She spent time with people in need comforting them and offering friendship.  Sharone miraculously did this all while raising six children and creating a loving home for her family.  Sharone was a grill master often cooking up  bacon wrapped cheeseburgers or barbequed chicken for the family after a day spent enjoying watching her family in the swimming pool.  She made every Holiday feel fun and special by decorating her home and making the most delicious baked goods.  For each of her children's birthdays she would make their favorite meal and dessert. Minus the packing and unpacking, Sharone  loved the annual family trip to the lake and cabins at Sugar Camp Burr Valley Resort and later in the years to Holiday Acres in Rhinelander.  She was also able to take some adventurous vacations with her eldest daughter's family to explore Opryland in Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Maryland and the East Coast. Sharone was a lifelong Packer and Milwaukee Brewer Fan and was never more excited than when her teams were playing. Sharone was an avid knitter and her colorful washcloths will forever be treasured by her family.  She also took up ceramics and thankfully her family has an abundance of beautiful holiday treasures made by her to celebrate her memory.  Sharone had a fun loving wonderful group of friends who would continue their "coffee clutch" get-togethers throughout the years.  In particular, Sharone was blessed to have a best friend Karolyn Olson, who celebrated the good times with her and supported her in the most challenging of times. The meaning of the name Sharone symbolizes beauty and abundance.  Sharone Zielke was exactly that, beautiful and abundant in love.

Sharone is survived by daughters Kelly (Joe) Schleich of Freeport, IL, Holly (Tami) Zielke of Elgin, IL, Heidi (Paul) Eaton of Hampshire, IL; sons E. Guy (Dawn) Zielke of Freeport, IL, E. Phillip Zielke of Plover, WI, grandchildren Samantha (Maya) Rivers and Alex Schleich, Nick, Noah and Simon Zielke, Kylie(Ryan) Smith, Austin(Alexa) and Weston(Reilly) Eaton, Jake Zielke, Abbygail(Ethan) Quinter, great grandchildren Jayce and Jovie,Taylor and Elena, Kora Quinn, and baby Carmen,  many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins in Wisconsin and her beloved dog Sophie.

She was preceded in death by parents, husband, sister-in-law Betty and brother-in-law Joseph Purpero, sister Maureen and brother-n-law Giles Fisch, brother Robert and sister-in-law Grace LaBlanc and daughter Melissa Zielke.  A special thanks to FHN Supportive Care and Joanne, Nurse Marina at Lifechoice Hospice, Sheila and staff at Heritage Woods, Malachi at Heritage Woods for his care, her special friend Alley, Barbara Feiner for her friendship, support, and prayer cards, Father Robert Camacho for his ongoing ministry and spiritual support, and Dr. Rebecca Pedersen for her compassionate care.

Visitation and a memorial Mass will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Freeport, IL on Friday May 16, 2025.  Visitation will be from 9:00 am to 10:30 am with Mass following at 10:30 am.  A luncheon will follow immediately at the church.  Sharone has been cremated and will be buried at Oakland Cemetery at a later date.  Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to either FHN Foundation for Supportive Care/Hospice 1045 W. Stephenson Street Freeport, IL 61032;  Or Misericordia Heart of Mercy 6300 N. Ridge Avenue Chicago, IL 60660