Sharon L. Leinen

Sharon Lee Leinen, age 78 of Yankton, South Dakota, died on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at the Avera Sr James Care Center in Yankton. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 10:30 AM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton, South Dakota with Rev. Larry Regynski officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM with a Rosary at 6:45 PM and a Vigil Service at 7:00 PM at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton. Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM on Thursday at the church. Honorary Pallbearers will be her granddaughters, Britney Leinen, Sydney Porter, Annika McCallum and Eliza McCallum. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Eric Sedlacek, Ben Sedlacek, Charlie Sedlacek Jared Cheever, Eli Cheever and Davis McCallum. Sharon was born on June 2, 1940 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Loren and Viola (Flanagan) Hellwig. She grew up in Rock Valley, Iowa and graduated from Rock Valley High School in 1958 and then attended Mt Marty College for a year. On April 20, 1964 she married John Leinen in Yankton. They made their home in Yankton where Sharon raised her family and then worked for Dale Electronics and Jerry’s Photography. Sharon was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she was part of the funeral committee, the Prayer Chain and Bible Study. John and Sharon were volunteers for Meals on Wheels and the Banquet. Sharon loved spending time with her family, friends, exercise and bible study groups. She had a strong faith and a determination to enjoy life. Sharon is survived by her husband, John, of Yankton; four children and their spouses, Judy and Todd Cheever of Brandon, South Dakota; Sam and Tara Leinen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Mollie and Greg Porter of Shakopee, Minnesota; Kate and Brian Sedlacek of Shakopee, Minnesota; 10 grandchildren and a sister, Kathleen and Stan Hauser of Marengo, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents. To send an online message to the family, or to view the video tribute, please visit www.wintzrayfuneralhome.com.