Sharron Kay Wachholz

Sharron "Kay" Wachholz, age 80 of Chatfield, went home to be with Jesus on August 23rd, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Sharron Kay was born on March 4th,1941 to Ernest "Ernie" and Mary (Waby) Nickelsen in Beaver, near Winona, MN. She was one of ten children and spent her early years on the home farm in the Whitewater Valley along highway 74 and in Weaver, MN. During her elementary school years, she lived on a farm near Eyota and Elgin, MN. Then her family moved into Elgin for her high school years where she was active in school plays and part of homecoming court her senior year. She graduated from Elgin High School in 1959. Upon graduation, she completed Secretarial School in Winona, MN. She worked for Metropolitan Life Mutual Insurance and then completed her career at IBM where she was a member of the Quarter Century Club upon retirement at age 55 in 1996. At the age of 19, she married her first husband, Wayne Baker and later divorced in 1985. During this union, she had two daughters. At the age 56, she remarried Allyn Wachholz on December 14, 1997 and resided near Chatfield until recently, when her health declined.

Kay loved flowers, music, photography, puzzles and coloring. She spent most of her years dancing, traveling, playing games, and loved being with people. She was generous in so many ways. She was wonderful mother to her girls. Always available whenever they needed her and loved to take trips with her daughters. She continually sacrificed her needs for others. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren's sporting events whenever she could. She was expressive, artistic and will be remembered for how she cared deeply for her family and friends.

Kay will remain in the hearts of her husband, Allyn Wachholz; daughters, Wendy (Dan) Crawford and Jody (Joe) Leise; grandchildren, Riley Crawford, Ellie Crawford and Josiah Crawford, Jackson Leise and Jedrek Leise; step-daughter, Ann Marie (Steve) Hershey; step-granddaughters, Deborah Hershey and Elizabeth Hershey; siblings; James (Barb) Nickelsen and Barbara (Jeannie) Theuner; sister-in-laws; Phyllis and Peggy Nickelsen, and special niece; Earlene (Barry) Simonson along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernie and Mary; siblings and spouses; Marj (Eugene) Lamey, Iola (Earl) Stephans, Rosemary Nickelsen, Clarence Nickelsen, Charles "Chuck" (LaVerne) Nickelsen, Kenneth "Wally" (Esther) Nickelsen, Laverne Nickelsen, Ralph Theuner.

Celebration of Life Mass will be at 11AM on Thursday, August 26th, 2021 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in St. Charles, followed by Burial at Hillside Cemetery in St. Charles, MN. Luncheon provided afterwards at the church. Visitation will be from 10-11AM at the church on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Please wear colorful floral prints to the Celebration Mass in honor of Kay's love for flowers. Please leave a memory of Kay and view her video tribute at www.hofffuneral.com. Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service of St. Charles, is assisting the family.