She is a Saint: Sharon Grapengieser is a Selfless Mother and Grandmother with an Outstanding Capacity to Care for Others

To be described as a saint, one must exhibit extraordinary qualities; that is exactly how Sharon Grapengieser’s kids describe her. Sharon was born in Richland Center, WI to Richard and Ruby Chitwood before meeting the love of her life: her husband Tim.

Tim was so affectionate toward her that he even referred to her as, “Huntz,” which is an important term to Tim from his mother and father’s German background. This love led to 50 wonderful years of marriage, two sons named Nicholas J. Grapengieser and J.T. Grapengieser, along with two grandchildren: 12-year-old Addison and 10-year-old Rhys.

Everyone in her life couldn’t be more appreciative of the selflessness she has exhibited.

“My mother [has] a willingness to go above and beyond to make sure everyone is happy,” said Nicholas. “She always puts those that she loves before herself. She also allowed me and my brother to grow as individuals and experience the world with encouragement to explore new things.”

“She is a person who will do anything for anyone. She always puts family first and wants others to be happy, sometimes at the expense of what she would like or want,” said J.T. “She was the caregiver for my dad for the past 10 years as he battled cancer and never wavered or even talked about a desire to stop being that rock for my dad despite how challenging things got. She is one of, if not the most, genuinely caring person that I know. She truly expects nothing in return and wants to make her loved ones happy.”

Sharon is clearly one of the most selfless individuals imaginable, who has improved the lives of everyone around her. Even with all she gives, she has still found time to have a career teaching and in customer service/sales. 

She has many favorite hobbies, which include reading, solitaire, Bunco and Uno with the grandchildren. Speaking of her grandchildren, they already notice how much she does for them.

“She always strives to make good memories with the grandkids and to capture those moments with pictures. She definitely spoils them, and Rhys and Addison both know that they will pretty much get whatever they ask for when they are with Grandma,” said J.T. “She wants to make sure that the kids are happy at all times when they spend time with her. Additionally, when it comes to grandkids, she will do things that she has no interest in or would not consider on her own like going to a Wisconsin Herd game, but just wants to have the experience with the kids.”

Not only does Sharon exhibit selflessness, but she also exhibits empathy, courage, patience and compassion. Her devotion and commitment to ensuring everyone is happy is part of why Nicholas can even remember being two years old as she held him in his Winnie the Pooh blanket singing him to sleep.

These qualities also led to an amazing marriage with her dearly beloved husband Tim. It was a marriage in which she displayed, “infinite, unconditional love,” said Nicholas.

“They were a great compliment to each other. My dad was very outgoing and unapologetic in how he lived, and my mom was the more reasonable and calculated of the two. She balanced his personality very well.” said J.T. “She was able to keep him in check through the years. As my dad dealt with cancer and ongoing recovery and relapse from illness, my mom was the persistent caregiver. Her selflessness and personality allowed her to be the perfect caregiver for him until he passed away.”

While Sharon was a teacher in the classroom, she was also a teacher at home as she taught her kids the value of family and so much more.

“She has taught me that family is truly everything, which has carried over to the relationships I have created over the years,” said Nicholas. “She has also taught me to stay grounded and simply reflect on all that is good even when times are difficult.”

Clearly, Sharon is one of the most selfless mothers of all time, and that is what makes her saint-like. Nicholas’s closing words perfectly sum up how both her kids feel about her.

“Mom, I honestly cannot fully put into words just how much you have done for me, but I just want to remind you that you are absolutely amazing,” said Nicholas. “Just know I never take you for granted. Like Dad always said, ‘You are the love of life.’”