"Mrs Clunk (Sharon) was the teacher at Allen School for two of our children. Just the best teacher and person ??"
In loving memory of
Sharon Clunk
Sharon (Thompson) Clunk was born on January 28, 1936, in Davison County, South Dakota to Raymond and Helen (Hanson) Thompson. She passed away on December 21, 2018. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019, at Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church 9590 East Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, Arizona at 10:00am. Sharon's hometown memorial will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2019, at the First Lutheran Church in Mitchell, South Dakota. Burial service following at Graceland Cemetery, Mitchell, SD.
She often shared happy memories of family and friends growing up in Mitchell, South Dakota. The Lutheran and Norwegian communities were also a big part of her life. In 1958, after graduating from Augustana University, Sharon began her thirty-eight year elementary teaching career in Southern California. In Long Beach, CA she met Louis Allen Clunk singing in the choir at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. They were married on July 1, 1960 at First Lutheran Church in Mitchell, SD. She continued her love of learning and education by finishing her Masters of Education Degree at Long Beach State College. Teaching was Sharon's passion, she loved the classroom and her students. She cherished the many long lasting friendships she developed with both her former students and her fellow teachers. She also loved an active social life. She especially enjoyed time with her two granddaughters, Annika and Natalie. You'd also find Sharon playing bridge, knitting, reading, attending an opera, symphony or ballet, as well as participating or organizing many social events. She was an active member of several organizations, her favorites were Sons of Norway, AAUW, and the Villa Monterey HOA. She also found time to volunteer at Opera Pacific, The Phoenix Symphony, Tempe History Museum and at her granddaughters' schools.
Her legacy passes on through her son Dieter, daughter-in-law Paula. and two grandchildren Annika and Natalie. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Nancy Smith, nieces Holly (Biaggio) Ferrantes and Heidi (William) Lyon, her dear cousin Audrey (Harlyn) Threadgold and many other friends and family members around the globe. Preceding her death were her parents, her husband, and her sister Sandra (Robert) Jasek.
Tributes
"Mrs. Clunk was my fourth grade teacher at Carver Elementary. She was wonderfully creative and encouraging. She made learning experiences that were deep and lasting. "
"I am another AAUW and bridge friend. Sharon's dynamic energy was felt while she was here and will certainly be missed as it transitions. She was a person full of energy, always had places to go and things to do and people to meet. Our bridge group missed her when she moved to AZ to be nearer her family there. When I went to meet another Phoenix friend I arranged to visit and we had a great lunch with lots of talking and laughter. As my grandmother used to say, the roof went up and down! Such a lovely being...her energy will be in our hearts forever. Leslie Taylor - Huntington Beach"
"I first met Sharon in 1985, when she joined the staff at Allen School, where I was teaching. We bonded over our mutual love of opera. She was a good friend, both in and out of school. We worked on many school activities together. Sharon and Lou did a wonderful job running the opera shop for Opera Pacific, and my husband Jim and I both enjoyed volunteering with them. She was extremely proud of her granddaughters, and would always tell me about them. She will be missed by her family and friends. Harriett Walker"
"I've known Sharon for 28 years. She came to Allen Shchool and I was assigned her aide. Sharon made learning fun. We did a Shakespearian Play yearly. On Pioneer Day we churned butter, made corn bread, and made a patchwork quilt. We had Bartering Day where students traded things. Sharon had students write to soliders and also to Dieter durning Desert Storm. Sharon kept after me to have my daughter, Paula to write to Dieter. Well, she did they dated, married and gave us 2 beautiful grandddaghters. Christmas was Sharon's favoriet, we made ginger breadhouse every year. Even in her group home in Dec. we made them and ornaments. Sharon stayed in contact with many of her former students, friends and family. I know because I helped her mail over 100 cards in Dec. Sharon was a special gifted teacher and friend. She will be missed by many. Most Sincerely, Carol Salitur"
"Sharon and I taught gifted kids in GARDEN GROVE for many years. She was a remarkable teacher a great friend."
"Sharon and I met when I began my teaching career in the Garden Grove Unified School District. She invited me to join AAUW in Long Beach and introduced me to the "Recent Grads"group and to playing bridge. This all began in 1967 and has continued to this day. Sharon was a special person with a vivacious personality who especially enjoyed working with her gifted students teaching them the plays of Shakespeare and how to play bridge! She was always busy with projects and getting involved with people and creating new friendships. She will be greatly missed."
"I lived with Sharon about 6 months at Hayden Estates in Scottsdale and I thoroughly enjoyed her friendship. She was the true deal and was well liked by many residents, caretakers, and employees. We shared our love for spaghetti with turkey meatballs, popsicles, Jolly Ranchers and national and regional politics. I will greatly miss Sharons smiley face and laughter. Her family and grandkids meant so very much to her. She always talked about them. Sharon, we?ll see you again someday. I know you will be looking down upon me when I have my liver transplant. I?m so glad i was able to talk to her on the phone 3 days before she passed. RIP Sharon......."
"I met Sharon when I went to teach in CA. We roomed together in Long Beach. Her husband to be and my husband to be were friends. We played bridge, went to an opera, etc. Rich & I were in Sharon & Lou?s wedding in Mitchell, SD on July 1, 1960 and they came to Mankato, MN, two days later to be in our wedding. Even though I am back in MN Sharon & I kept in touch. She was a dear friend. Sincerely, Joanne Hyde"
"Sharon enriched so many lives including mine. She was my fourth grade teacher circa 1979 at Leo Carrillo elementary and I often ran into her in the pool at Los Cabaleros. She was the real deal, genuinely caring. She was so proud of her Norwegian roots and her family. I remember hearing about Dieter & Lou way back in fourth grade. I am so grateful to have known her and been able to stay in touch over the years. Dieter, Paula and kids, my heart goes out to you. Love & light- Heather"
"Sharon was a true go-getter. She made many things happen which probably wouldn't have come about. Even though she moved to Arizona, there are many memories of her enthusiasm and determination in our American Association of University Women branch. Memories of Sharon are happy."
"Sharon and I met in the ?recent grads group? of Long Beach, California AAUW back in the late 1960?s. We formed a bridge group, meeting two Thursday nights each month. We were sad when she left us to move to Scottsdale after her retirement, but kept in touch with cards and phone calls. She was a lovely, interesting, friendly person who will be missed by family and friends! Georgia Merchant"
"Sharon and I were neighbors for many years. We shared the joys and woes of raising children. We still visited by phone and Email. I?ll miss her."
"my sincerest condolences to a delightful social person who made all feel welcome!"