Sharon Lynn Oleksak

Oleksak, Sharon Lynn 55 Oct. 22, 1956 May 16, 2012 Sharon Oleksak, 55, passed away May 16, 2012, in the loving embrace of her family, at home, in Milwaukie, after a two-year battle with cancer. Sharon Lynn Teigen was born in Oak Harbor, Wash. on Whidbey Island at the Naval Hospital on Oct. 22, 1956. Six months later her parents, Bruce and Betty Teigen, moved to Seattle where her father worked for Boeing and her 10-month younger sister, Susan, was born. In 1961, the family moved back "home" to Billings, Mont., where her youngest sister, Carol, was born. The Teigens lived on Avenue D in Billings, enjoying Montana life with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. The family enjoyed the great outdoors with camping, hiking, skiing and water skiing. Sharon attended Rose Park Elementary School, Lewis and Clark Junior High School and graduated salutatorian from Billings West High School in 1974. She then attended Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont., and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in chemical engineering in 1978. Sharon moved to Camas, Wash., where she worked at a pulp and paper mill. She met and married her first husband, Sheldon Tyler, in 1980. Soon after the wedding she adopted his two children, Andy, age 5, and Shannon, age 3, whose mother Nancy had passed away. In 1983, Craig was born, followed by Melinda (Mel) in 1985. The next 20 years were a blur of church, full-time work, family activities, soccer, basketball, horses, piano lessons, band, bicycles, travel, holidays, birthdays, school, college-the busy life of a big family. In 1998, Sharon worked as a consultant and then as an analyst in Power Operations at Portland General Electric starting in 2005. After divorcing in 2000, Sharon met and married Richard "Ric" Oleksak in 2003. Sharon and Ric enjoyed more than eight rich years together, living in Milwaukie. They successfully blended their seven mutual children into one large caring group. Weddings of children and births of grandchildren further enriched the family. Balanced with their love of family, Sharon and Ric shared many other mutual interests. They enjoyed active travel vacations, entwined with everyday joys: music and theatre, biking, canoeing, hiking and walking, and always-lively discussions. Sharon is survived by her loving family, husband, Richard "Ric" Oleksak; son, Andy Tyler and his wife, Kari and their children, Samantha, Jackson and Allison; daughter, Dr. Shannon Chua, her husband, Dr. Jason and their daughter, Taylor; son, Craig Tyler and his fiancee, Sarah Dempsey; daughter, Melinda (Mel) Wenko and her husband, Jason; stepsons, Gregory Oleksak and Richard Oleksak and his wife, Nicole; and stepdaughter, Kathryn (Katie) Oleksak and her boyfriend, Ben Tarkany. Visitation is Sunday, May 20 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Stehn Family Chapels, Milwaukie. A memorial service for Sharon will be held on Monday, May 21, 2012 at 12 p.m. noon at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Gladstone. For more information please visit: www.stehnfuneralhomes.com Memorials may be sent to Sharon's favorite charity of many years, World Vision, to help less fortunate children around the world. Sharon gave generously to her family and to many others during her life. The wisdom she poured out on others made an incredible impact in their lives - both locally and in distant countries.