Sharon Pagel

Sharon Kay (Ebner) Pagel ,74, of La Crosse, WI died Wednesday November 20, 2024, at Warren Barr Leiberman in Skokie, Illinois, from complications of Multiple Sclerosis. She was born March 1, 1950, to Kathleen M. Kay Ebner and William A. Ebner Sr.

She was married to Stuart Pagel (divorced) and is survived by her daughters, Lisa Marie (Michael Olson) and Kristin Leigh (Thomas Shortt) with her grandchildren Riley Kate, Jameson Thomas, Riker Mack, and Savannah Leigh of Chicago, IL. Sharon is also survived by her sister Cynthia A. Ebner, brothers William A. Ebner Jr. of Holmen, WI, Richard J. (Barbara) Ebner of La Crosse, WI.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents and her sister-in-law, Marlene 'Mickey' Ebner.

She grew up in La Crosse, WI and graduated from Saint Thomas Aquinas High School. She attended University of WI La Crosse with an art teaching degree and taught art in Milwaukee for many years while passing her love for the arts to many. After marrying she raised her family in Brookfield, WI and Geneva, IL. She touched many people's lives with her beautiful smile, warm hearted kindness, and positive outlook on life even while battling Multiple Sclerosis. She was an amazing artist, and her paintings will live on in her honor.

She taught art at Brookfield East High School where she was involved with the youth ski program. She chaperoned bus trips to local ski hills. After marrying, she made it a full time job to raise the girls. First, was Lisa and a few years later came Kristin. She was a stay-at-home mom who took care of the house allowing her husband to concentrate on his work.

Because of a sudden work change, the family was forced to sell their home in Brookfield and move to St Charles, Illinois. It was a difficult time for the family. Sharon: even while suffering from her multiple sclerosis did all she could to make the change as easy as possible on the young children. Her husband was busy with trying to start a new business and relied on her to handle the home front, which to her credit she did well.

Sharon was always an artist. She saw the world differently than most people. She was a very good artist. Prints were made of her work and sold in various studios. She painted art works for the grandchildren while suffering from her illness.

Unfortunately, MS is incurable and in time she became immobile. The last part of her life was very difficult on her and her children. Life as we all know is not fair, but it was extremely unfair to her! As the saying goes `She's in a better place'. Let's hope she is and painting. Because painting made her happy!

A Mass at of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, November 30 at Blessed Sacrament. Entombment to follow at the Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse.