Sharon Ubben
June 2, 1939 — February 17, 2025
It is with great sadness that we inform you that Sharon “Kay” (Branyord), Ubben of Stratford, IA, passed away on 2/17/25 at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines Iowa. From multiple system failure post-surgery.
Mother, ma, mom, mommy, mommy, mommy, Momma Kay, Miss Kay, Hey Kay, Grams, Gram, Grandma Kay, Auntie Kay and to a special few Sharon.
Sharon “Kay” was born 6/2/39 in Webster City IA, third daughter of Kermith and Monetta (Strauser) Branyord. She went to school in Alden, IA and moved to Webster City where she graduated in 1957. She met and married Willis Ubben Sr. and later divorced. She lived on a farm north of Stratford, where she raised her 5 children, farmed, worked construction (WillKay Inc), Waitressed/Cook, Convenience Store clerk and Restaurant owner. In the 1980’s she moved to Waco, TX, but then later moved back to the farm. Kay took some Nursing and Flight Instruction courses at Iowa Central Community College. She taught Sunday School at Stratford Evangelical Lutheran Church and Youth Group at Calvary Methodist Church, in Stratford, IA. Kay enjoyed roller skating, dancing, Elvis and of course riding horses (Barrel Racing), up until her accident in 1986. Though she longed to continue to do those things her leg brace prohibited her from continuing. But that didn’t stop her from having the gumption to open the Meet N Eat Restaurant in Stanhope, IA. Mom loved to garden, cook, sew, maybe have a drink or two. Kay was always happy and was known for her lasagna, Specken Ditens (New Years Day German pancakes), dressing up for Halloween, being the “Popcorn Ball Lady,” and her love for Sci-Fi & Horror Movies, Stephen King being her favorite author. Mother/Grams was not afraid to crack the whip and then make a batch of cinnamon rolls or have a coke float. Mom always had encouraging/uplifting words to anyone who was feeling down or defeated by life. Loved by everyone who met her, Mom’s presence will be deeply missed by her family. Her motto was "there are no strangers, only friends we haven't met". Sharon will also be missed by the Webster City class of 1957 (she only missed one reunion since graduation).
Survived by her children: Willis (Elaine) Ubben Jr, Wallace Ubben, RN, Shannon (James Renfro) Ubben, Shawn (Ubben) Bergquist, Sonya (Rob Edge) Ubben. 10 Grandchildren: Jackie Ubben (Nick Sealine), Jessie (Adam) Pedelty, Amanda (Brad) Beatty, Casey Ubben, Alec (Thea) Ubben, Stephanie (Matt) Hansen, Lance (CourtLee) Trynoski, Arianne (Conrad IV), Smith, Demetrius (Rebecca) Ticali, Dakon Bergquist. 22 Great Grandchildren: Hunter Collicott, Emma (Connor Hanson) Collicott, Addison Sealine, Haydin Sealine, Colton Pedelty, Abby Beatty, Jayden Beatty, Chase Beatty, Aubrey Beatty, Ryker Beatty, Nash Ubben, Noah Hansen, Landon Hansen, Adoniah Hansen, Asael Hansen MaeLee Trynoski, Weslee Trynoski, Alaina Smith, Aliyah Smith, Conrad Smith V, Aviana Smith, Deion Smith. Many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters and brothers-in-law Donna and Frank Otto, Vonnie and Paul Pruismann and grandchildren Stacie Philbrook, Brice Bergquist, Ben Ubben, and Abranda Ubben.
Services will be held at a later date. Please watch Foster Funeral Home’s website for services details at https://www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com/
Mother, ma, mom, mommy, mommy, mommy, Momma Kay, Miss Kay, Hey Kay, Grams, Gram, Grandma Kay, Auntie Kay and to a special few Sharon.
Sharon “Kay” was born 6/2/39 in Webster City IA, third daughter of Kermith and Monetta (Strauser) Branyord. She went to school in Alden, IA and moved to Webster City where she graduated in 1957. She met and married Willis Ubben Sr. and later divorced. She lived on a farm north of Stratford, where she raised her 5 children, farmed, worked construction (WillKay Inc), Waitressed/Cook, Convenience Store clerk and Restaurant owner. In the 1980’s she moved to Waco, TX, but then later moved back to the farm. Kay took some Nursing and Flight Instruction courses at Iowa Central Community College. She taught Sunday School at Stratford Evangelical Lutheran Church and Youth Group at Calvary Methodist Church, in Stratford, IA. Kay enjoyed roller skating, dancing, Elvis and of course riding horses (Barrel Racing), up until her accident in 1986. Though she longed to continue to do those things her leg brace prohibited her from continuing. But that didn’t stop her from having the gumption to open the Meet N Eat Restaurant in Stanhope, IA. Mom loved to garden, cook, sew, maybe have a drink or two. Kay was always happy and was known for her lasagna, Specken Ditens (New Years Day German pancakes), dressing up for Halloween, being the “Popcorn Ball Lady,” and her love for Sci-Fi & Horror Movies, Stephen King being her favorite author. Mother/Grams was not afraid to crack the whip and then make a batch of cinnamon rolls or have a coke float. Mom always had encouraging/uplifting words to anyone who was feeling down or defeated by life. Loved by everyone who met her, Mom’s presence will be deeply missed by her family. Her motto was "there are no strangers, only friends we haven't met". Sharon will also be missed by the Webster City class of 1957 (she only missed one reunion since graduation).
Survived by her children: Willis (Elaine) Ubben Jr, Wallace Ubben, RN, Shannon (James Renfro) Ubben, Shawn (Ubben) Bergquist, Sonya (Rob Edge) Ubben. 10 Grandchildren: Jackie Ubben (Nick Sealine), Jessie (Adam) Pedelty, Amanda (Brad) Beatty, Casey Ubben, Alec (Thea) Ubben, Stephanie (Matt) Hansen, Lance (CourtLee) Trynoski, Arianne (Conrad IV), Smith, Demetrius (Rebecca) Ticali, Dakon Bergquist. 22 Great Grandchildren: Hunter Collicott, Emma (Connor Hanson) Collicott, Addison Sealine, Haydin Sealine, Colton Pedelty, Abby Beatty, Jayden Beatty, Chase Beatty, Aubrey Beatty, Ryker Beatty, Nash Ubben, Noah Hansen, Landon Hansen, Adoniah Hansen, Asael Hansen MaeLee Trynoski, Weslee Trynoski, Alaina Smith, Aliyah Smith, Conrad Smith V, Aviana Smith, Deion Smith. Many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters and brothers-in-law Donna and Frank Otto, Vonnie and Paul Pruismann and grandchildren Stacie Philbrook, Brice Bergquist, Ben Ubben, and Abranda Ubben.
Services will be held at a later date. Please watch Foster Funeral Home’s website for services details at https://www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com/
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