Sharon Kay Eld

Sharon Kay Eld, 88, died peacefully, surrounded by family on September 15th, 2024.

Sharon was born August 7, 1936, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota to Paul ‘Ed’ and Kathryn Grace Nystrom.

She lived in Swatara, Minnesota until she was 7 years old. Her one sibling, a brother, Daryl, was her best friend. The family moved to Hopkins, Minnesota in June of 1943 where she attended Harley Hopkins School until 9th grade. She then went to Hopkins High School where she graduated in 1954.

Sharon worked as secretary for a school counselor her last two years of high school, then as a secretary at Hopkins Junior High School for two years. She met the love of her life, Marvin Eld, during this time. In June 1956, Sharon and her family moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, where she worked at Westinghouse Electric Corporation as secretary for an Accounting Manager. Marv followed them to Idaho.

On June 22, 1957, she married Marv at Trinity United Methodist Church. They both said it was the best thing they ever did – and it showed. About a year and a half later, it began to show in a family way. In 1959, Sharon gave birth to a daughter, Debra Kay. In 1961, a son was added to the mix, Michael Edwin. Followed in March 1965 by another son, Richard Ellsworth, who died at 4 years of age in an auto accident.

Sharon was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where she served on several boards, the Finance Committee, and as Financial Secretary for many years. She taught Sunday School, belonged to Prayer and Share, and four different United Methodist Women circles, serving as treasurer for three of them. She was a member of United Methodist Women for over 60 years. She and her mother took care of UMW Sunshine for 36 years.

She began playing bridge in 1964, belonging to two bridge groups and playing informally with friends.

She drove three little boys to underprivileged kindergarten for two years and volunteered in the Soup Kitchen for eight years. Sharon also volunteered at Parkview Hospital for three years, assisting a friend who taught an adult literacy program.

In January 1976, she worked for Financial Consulting Services for three years, did payroll for Ross Hair, then worked for Owen Distributors for two years.

In January 2012, she traveled to Israel with her husband, son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter with a group from Calvary Chapel of Blackfoot. The family cherishes a picture of her riding a camel! Calvary Chapel of Blackfoot has been her church home for the last seventeen years. She enjoyed attending Bible study class on Wednesday evenings and various other activities.

She is survived by children, Debbie Gamache (Stephen) and Michael Eld (Celeste); grandchildren, Joshua Eld (Sabreena), Jacob Eld (Sandra) of Eugene, Oregon, Phil Gamache (Andie), Michelle Gaume (Zac) of Lyman, Wyoming, Katie McCabe (Keith), John B. Eld (Benita) of New Zealand and Serenity Richards (Justin); and great-grandchildren: Colton, Mikayla, Shiloh, Zoie, Landon, Wyatt, Peter, Rose, Harmony, Willow, Levi, Micah and Calliope.

Sharon was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin; her parents; son, Richard Eld: and brother, Daryl Nystrom.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Calvary Chapel of Blackfoot, 689 S. Fisher Avenue, Blackfoot, ID. The family will visit with friends Saturday for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery immediately following the service.

A special thank you to the Gables of Blackfoot and Hospice of Eastern Idaho for caring so well for our precious Mother.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Calvary Chapel of Blackfoot or Hospice of Eastern Idaho.

Condolences may be sen to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.