Sharon Boschen

1943 - 2024

Sharon Boschen
April 1, 1943 - January 19, 2024
Sharon Kaye Boschen died peacefully at home in Santa Rosa, surrounded by loved ones, on January 19, 2024. Sharon was born in Hastings, Nebraska, to the Rev. Richard and Laura Fruehling on April 1, 1943. She was baptized by her father at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Glenvil, Nebraska. As the family accepted different calls to ministry, Sharon attended elementary school in Iowa, Arizona, and Nebraska. She attended Beatrice High School and graduated in 1959, having been active in creative writing, drama, music, and student council. She went on to Hastings College, from which she graduated summa cum laude with majors in English and education. Sharon had a full ride to study Middle English and Chaucer at the University of Arizona in Tucson; but life and her love for teaching and children intervened, and she returned to Nebraska to teach kindergarten.
Sharon made the move to Santa Rosa, CA. in 1968. She began teaching kindergarten at Lincoln Elementary. She also became active at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where she assisted with youth ministries and sang songs in the choir, eventually serving twice as church council president. In her first years at Bethlehem, she met John Boschen, whom she married in 1972. Together they had a daughter, Laura. Sharon went on to teach at various local elementary schools including Fremont and Sheppard. She then decided to get her Masters in Education at Sonoma State University, and later, a Masters in Educational Administration at Saint Mary's College. Her final career was as principal at Mark West Elementary School from 1988-2002, where the teachers described her as loving, funny, inspiring, and incredibly supportive. Additionally, Sharon served a term on the Santa Rosa City School Board in the 1980's and was PTA President at her daughter's elementary school. She was, also, active in many local organizations including Community Concerts, and KRCB.
Later in life Sharon took great pleasure in being a grandma and enjoyed living at Spring Lake Village, where she participated in bocce, pickle ball, and various boards on campus. Sharon is survived by her daughter Laura (Kevin) Robinson, grandchildren Brayden and Grace Robinson, brothers Dr. Richard (Sandra) Fruehling, and Dr. James (Lyle) Fruehling. She is, also, survived by stepson John Boschen, and his four daughters. Sharon was preceded in death by husband John Boschen, partner Francis Geddes, father Rev. Richard Fruehling and mother Laura Fruehling. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Santa Rosa. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, or Dogwood Animal Rescue.