Shari Steinbruner

Sharron “Shari” Ann Steinbruner, 73, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, died on March 1, 2026.

The oldest of six children, she was born at Great Lakes Naval Base in 1952 to Roy and Beverley (née Poppie) Gilbertson.

An avid reader and outstanding student, Shari became a Licensed Practical Nurse at Waukesha County Technical College before marrying Jim Steinbruner and moving to Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Shari continued in nursing through the births of children Janet Marie and James Mark, Jr., and she reluctantly took a break when Jeanne Mary came along, recognizing she was clearly outflanked and outnumbered. Shari was proud to return to nursing when her children were grown, and despite assuring everyone she would never retire from nursing, she finally did at age 68 to spend time with her family and volunteering in the community.

Despite the shyness she felt in her youth–and maybe because of it–Shari made her home the place kids and adults gathered. She let everyone know “the coffee pot was always on” and told everyone “don’t bother knocking, just come on in.” For years, the buyers of Jim and Shari’s houses on Lamar and Nevada were frequently surprised by guests both young and old who walked in not realizing they had moved!

All her kids’ friends called her “Mom”, and, through AFS, Shari gained two Egyptian sons, brothers Karim and Ahmed Azab, and one Danish daughter, Gritt Maltesen Ellesoe.

After reading an article in the newspaper about Kurdish refugees being hosted by faith communities in Oshkosh, she decided she would singlehandedly host refugees, gaining four more sons: brothers Sabah and Saad Omar, Sherwan Sienem, and Shak Kurdy.

While managing Steinbruner Heating and Cooling, Shari’s coffee pot and entertaining moved to “the shop” at 6th and Oregon where she hosted Holiday Parade viewing parties for anyone who looked cold and legendary St. Patrick’s Day parties where a row of whiskey bottles only slightly longer than a row of Nesco roasters filled with corned beef and cabbage welcomed her favorite people. Jim teased her relentlessly about being the only sheet metal shop that needed host liquor liability insurance.

Shari was preceded in death by her husband, James, and her siblings, Rose, Teri, Steve, and John.

She will be missed by her sister Mary (Dan) Supple, her brother Alan, her children Jeanne (Joe) Smith, Jim Jr., and Janet (Martin) Tierney, her grandchildren Caleb Paulick and Alex Smith, as well as chosen family Karim, Ahmed, Gritt, Sabah, Saad, Sherwan, Shak, Patrick, and Reilly.

Visitation will start at 1pm on Friday, March 13, 2026, at St. Jude the Apostle Parish (formerly Sacred Heart) in Oshkosh, WI, with Mass to follow at 2pm.