SPARTA/STODDARD – Sharon Ames (Wells) of Stoddard passed away peacefully at the Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta on Monday, September 18 with her loving family by her side. She was the daughter of Goodwin (Jim) and Margaret (Betty) Wells of La Crosse. Sharon was born in 1943 after her father had already shipped out for duty in World War II. She first met him when she was 2-½ years old. She grew up in Sparta and graduated from Sparta High School. She married Richard Ames of Sparta and they later divorced.

In the early 70’s, Sharon attended Western Technical College and earned an Associate Degree in Accounting. She work for the La Crosse County Department of Social Services.

In 1980, she moved to southern California. She loved California but missed Wisconsin and her family very much. She returned to La Crosse in the 1987. Upon returning, Sharon was employed as a bookkeeper at G. Heileman Brewing Co. When that job ended, she became the Office Manager for Chartwells Dining Services at UW-La Crosse. Sharon retired from that position in 2005 due to illness.

Throughout her life she enjoyed playing pool, bowling, birdwatching, camping, playing cards, reading, and spending time with her family and amazing friends.

Sharon was committed to loving her neighbor as herself and cared deeply about people in her life. She also had a deep belief in God.

Sharon is survived by two brothers, Jim (Barbara) Wells of Edgerton and Jeff (Diane) Wells of Manhattan; her children, Laurie (Jerome) DeFlorian of Coon Valley and Keith G. Ames of Stoddard; four grandchildren, Shawn (Amanda) Greenwood of La Crescent, MN, Jessica DeFlorian of Coon Valley, Keighley DeFlorian (fiance Clay Potter) of LaFarge, and Ryan DeFlorian (fiancee Brooke Dold) of La Crosse; niece, Sarah (Harley) Rowe-O’Brien of NH, and nephew, James Wells (fiancee Lindsey Burbank) of CA.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, brother Gary Wells, and infant son, Richard Ames.

Funeral service with reception following on Wednesday, October 4 at 5:30 p.m., Wesley United Methodist Church, 721 King St., La Crosse.