The Mass of Christian Burial for Sharon will be livestreamed at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026. To view the livestream, please click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/c/StThomasAquinasChurchMadison/

MADISON – Sharon Jean Dworak, age 84, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 5, 2026. She was born on April 14, 1941, in Hendricks, MN, to Arthur and Mamie (Kroeger) Prohl. Sharon married the love of her life, Eugene Dworak, on February 12, 1972 at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Madison, WI.

A true tomboy, she loved living on the farm near Lake Benton, MN where her passion for animals, especially horses, cats and dogs, began. After high school, she pursued a noble career as a nurse, graduating from St. Barnabus Nursing School in Minneapolis, MN. Sharon then moved to Madison, WI in 1961, working for many years as an RN at St. Mary’s and VA Hospitals in Madison. She met her husband Gene when he was a patient on her floor at the VA. She was recognized as a tough but compassionate Head Nurse and was well known for her fierce work ethic. She retired following over 30 years of caring for her patients and her fellow nurses, many of whom she was still close to.

Family was extremely important to Sharon. She supported her daughters in all possible ways, including encouraging them to pursue their inherited love of horses in their careers that led them both to Kentucky. She never missed an opportunity to drive to Kentucky to celebrate birthdays and holidays with her daughters and their families. She loved being a grandmother - her beloved grandchildren brought her infinite joy and she would have moved the earth for them if it was at all possible. Sharon was also very close to all her many nieces and nephews, who saw her as a big sister, fun aunt and confidante.

Sharon had a meaningful way of connecting with people and had so many friends simply because she was a good friend. It was often hard to keep track of her social calendar. She loved playing cards and board games, was a worthy opponent in a good scrabble game and always ready to try a new restaurant. She was loved by all her neighbors for over 50 years on Pilgrim Rd. and more recently her friends and staff at Heritage Senior Living in Middleton, where she resided happily for the past year.

Sharon will be remembered for her determination and amazingly optimistic outlook on life. Her unwavering faith guided her through that life and her love of laughing, having fun and truly caring about others will be greatly missed.

Sharon is survived by her children, Jennifer (Timothy) Wolery and Laurie (Mark) Pitzer;

grandchildren, Matthew, Sydney, Samuel, and Ella. She is further survived by her niece Cindy (John) Schrader, an instrumental part of her recent life, as well as many other nieces, nephews, other family and countless close friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Eugene; sisters and brothers-in-law, Audrey (Lester) Clausen and Delores (Gordon) Bengtson and her husband’s parents, Ambrose and Rose Dworak.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 602 Everglade Dr, Madison. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the Mass, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Friday at the church. Burial will be at Sunset Memory Gardens, 7302 Mineral Point Rd, Madison, following Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dane County Humane Society or Cancer Research. To view her obituary or leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Service & Legacy Center

6728 Mader Drive

608-274-1000

Sharon Dworak

April 14, 1941 - April 05, 2026

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