Sharon Classen

Sharon Evelyn (Plemmons) Classen
April 14, 1943 - June 30, 2025
Sharon Classen, longtime resident of the Dallas area, peacefully passed into eternity on Monday, June 30. At her side were her husband of nearly 64 years, Howard, and their children, Jeff, Cindy and Jim.
Born in McMinnville to Wayne and Lorraine Plemmons, Sharon's early years were spent in Willamina and Sheridan. At 16, she met the love of her life, Howard Classen, while visiting Salt Creek Baptist Church. Sharon joined the church in 1960 and remained a lifelong member. After she was an honors graduate from Sheridan High School in 1961, the two eloped and were married by the Reverend Clarence Walth at the church parsonage on August 25, 1961.
Sharon worked for the Oregon Department of Revenue until they were able to begin her life's greatest joy, raising their family at Salt Creek; Jeff (1963), Cindy (1967) and Jim (1969). She combined home and work by following their children to Dallas School District in 1974. Sharon was an instructional assistant at Lyle Elementary, Academy, LaCreole Junior High and became Career Center Coordinator at Dallas High School. She capped her career in education by earning her own advanced degrees; AA from Chemeketa, BA from Western Baptist College and MEd from University of Portland. She transferred to South Salem High School, which led her to run the Teen Parent Program at Barbara Roberts School and Chemeketa, before retiring to more closely assist her own aging parents.
She became an exceptional cook, baker and seamstress, improving methods and sharing with others. Knitting, crocheting, tatting, painting, camping, gardening, backpacking, fishing; attending any family sporting events, concerts, performances, family trips near and far; Sharon invested all her efforts toward her growing family, church and community.
Sharon was preceded in death by her grandparents, Raymond and Lula Lawson; in-laws, Henry and Anne Classen; parents, Wayne and Lorraine (Lawson) Plemmons.
She is survived by her devoted husband Howard; children Jeff and Heidi, Cindy and Marty, Jim and Tami and their families, eight grandchildren, four great grandchildren and two on the way. Sharon is also survived by her brother Kenneth, sister Linda and their families.
Over the past 12 and ½ years, Sharon fought a valiant battle against Multiple Myeloma with a focus on making the most of each day God gave her and her family together, and hoping to make the way better for future myeloma patients. Given this, her family wishes to publicly extend thanks to her exceptional caregivers at Oregon Oncology and Salem Hospital, especially Dr. William Pierce and staff; Oregon Health Sciences University, Dallas Retirement Village and Solterra Hospice.
Because Sharon strongly believed in sharing the love of God with her own and other children from an early age, the family has chosen to have Camp Tapawingo designated to receive donations in her name. It continues to be a Place of Joy for generations of our family.
Sharon's Celebration of Life will be held at Salt Creek Baptist Church on Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 11 AM.