Sharon Ann Boylen

Sharon Boylen, 78, of Prairie du Chien, passed away peacefully on Feb. 7, 2024, surrounded by her family, after a long battle with Alzheimer's. She was born on May 19, 1945, to Floyd May and Katheryn Severson, but she was raised by her foster parents, Bob and Beulah Spiker from the time she was three months old. They were her aunt and uncle by blood, but they loved and raised her as their daughter. She always considered them her real parents. She grew up in the Fourth Ward (St. Feriole Island) and graduated from Prairie du Chien High School in 1963. She married the love of her life, Larry Boylen, on July 7, 1965. They were blessed with four sons: Scott, Kurt, Jeff and Brent. Sharon worked in the Crawford County Highway Department office for many years and held a variety of other jobs.
She served her community in many ways, including donating blood more than 120 times and umpiring neighborhood games. She was very active at St. John's Parish, including teaching CCD, reading during service, and being an eucharistic minister. She enjoyed working as a teacher's aide in B.A. Kennedy and Bluffview Schools. She served on the Prairie du Chien City Council for several terms and was a member of the Friends of the Prairie du Chien Library.
She loved her family, her many pets and spending time with "The Gang." Sharon was always willing to take in strays (animals and people) and always rooted for the underdog. She enjoyed bowling with her friends, walking her dogs, and spending time on and near the river. She loved listening to the Milwaukee Brewers on the radio, with a special affinity for Bob Uecker and her favorite player of all time, Paul Molitor.
Sharon taught her family the importance of sharing and helping others. She tried to see the bright side of things and had a smile and a wink for everyone. She had nicknames for all her favorite people, and often referred to her grandchildren as "hootenannies."
She is survived by her husband, Larry, their sons Scott (Kelli), Kurt (Nikki Gilkes), Jeff and Brent (Sara), grandchildren Desi, Mabel, Brock, Ayla (Chris Larson), Tyler, Dalton and Cole, and her sister, Janice Radloff, sisters-in-law, Pat Hazen, Ica Boylen, Dianne (Todd) Caya, brother-in-law Rick (Marcia) Boylen.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her grandson Samson Boylen, brothers-in-law John Trehey, Robert Hazen, Jim Boylen, and Edward White and sisters-in-law, Kate Trehey and Mary White. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested for the Prairie du Chien Library or the River and Bluffs Animal Shelter. People are also encouraged to donate blood in her memory.
A visitation will be held 4-7 pm on Thursday, Feb. 15 at Garrity Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held at 11 am on Friday, Feb. 16 at St. John's Church of the Holy Family Parish, both in Prairie du Chien.
As Sharon always said, "Don't worry. It'll be alright."