Sharon Ann Wiggins

Sharon Ann Wiggins, age 65, of Gregory, South Dakota, passed away on February 16, 2026 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, after a courageous battle with Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD). Her mother, Patricia Mattson, followed her in death two days later. They both had the great blessing of visiting in Sherry's last days; the two shared a few hours of loving communication between mother and daughter.

Sharon was born on July 24, 1960, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, to Royce and Patricia Mattson. She was raised in a happy home as one of seven siblings. In her younger years she was a flag girl and held her first job at Hardy's.

Sharon graduated from Winona State University with a degree in Early Education. She was united in Holy Matrimony to Weston Wiggins on July 13, 1985, and together they raised two sons, Tyler and Noah.

Sharon was deeply devoted to her family. As an avid sports fan, especially of the Minnesota Vikings, she never missed one of Tyler's or Noah's sporting events. She loved camping, road trips, and any activity that brought the family together. Sharon had a special loving touch for keeping people connected - she sent cards to friends and family on every possible occasion, making sure no birthday, milestone, or event went unremembered.

As her condition slowly worsened, Sharon courageously fought on each day in spite of incredible fatigue and degrading control: going to physical therapy, trying her best to talk to us and the doctors, and making witty jokes whenever she could. No one imagined that her sickness was terminal. When the shocking diagnosis of CJD finally came, she calmly prepared for death. Her last days were filled with prayer, sacred music, and family visits. Our Lady graciously bestowed the Green Scapular upon her, a sacred devotional of the Blessed Virgin Mary given for healing and conversion at the hour of death. God mercifully provided the Sacrament of Extreme Unction, the final anointing of the Church, and the Apostolic Pardon, granting full remission of sins at the moment of death.

"Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death."

Sharon is survived by her loving husband, Wes; son Tyler (and wife Deirdre and beloved grandson Jude); son Noah (and wife Rachael), siblings Sue Schaffer (husband Francis), Jim Mattson (wife Kris), Joan Ivers (husband Dave), Dan Mattson (wife Teresa), Tom Mattson (wife Cindy), and Greg Mattson (wife Andrea). She will be dearly missed by all but especially the whole host of nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nephews, great-nieces, aunts, and uncles that were blessed to know her intimately.

She was preceded in death by her father, Royce Mattson, and granddaughter Katarina Wiggins.

Visitation and viewing will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, South Dakota. A Rosary prayer service will follow from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, with refreshments afterwards at Maryvale Hall. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 27, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, with burial at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the CJD Foundation. (http://cjdfoundation.org)