Obituaries : Sharon Weiss

Sharon Weiss

VINTON - Sharon Beth Weiss, 74, died at her home Tuesday, February 18, 2014, surrounded by her family following a lengthy illness.
A memorial visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Vinton on Sunday, February 23, 2014. Per Sharon's wishes, her body has been cremated and private family inurnment will be held at a later date.
Sharon was born January 14, 1940, in San Francisco, California, the daughter of Elmer and Bernice "Bea" Sundquist Nordstrom. She was a 1957 graduate of Washington High School in Vinton and received multiple Doctorates from the School of Hard Knocks.
Sharon worked and raised her family in Vinton. She raised purebred Suffolk sheep, and, in the 1990's, transitioned from farming to her nursery, Weiss' Country Bloomers, located on Highway 218 just south of Vinton. She was an Iowa Master Gardner, and she excelled at Hostas, unique trees, landscaping and pond water features. She was a member of the Pond Society and the Hosta Society. Her nursery featured over 800 varieties of Hostas and 385 trees.
She was a member of Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Vinton.
Sharon loved raising sheep, gardening, and her beloved Boston Terriers.
She is survived by one daughter: Michelle (Rusty) Olson of Thornton, CO; two sons: Michael (Patti) Weiss of Waterloo and Martin "Marty" (Kim) Weiss of Vinton; four grandchildren: Miranda (Jared) Seliger of Hudson; Jacob Weiss of Cedar Rapids; Jessica (Darren Kirk) Weiss of Cedar Rapids; and Elizabeth "Liz" Weiss of Vinton; two brothers: Lyle (Pat) Nordstrom of Cumberland, Maryland, and Randy Nordstrom of Berlin, Germany; her "dog daughters," Gidget and Lola; and her "granddogs," Peyton and Baby.
She was preceded in death by her parents and numerous beloved pets, especially her dog, Agatha.
In lieu of flowers and plants (remember, she owned a nursery), memorial contributions may be made to the MidAmerica Boston Terrier Rescue, 14826 Spaulding St., Omaha, NE 68116, or to Mercy Hospice, 315 18th Avenue, Hiawatha, Iowa 52233.
Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Sharon and her family. Condolences may be left at vsrfh.com.