PIERRE, SD – Sharon Marie French, cherished wife, veteran, public servant and Christian passed away on May 2, 2025, at the age of 75 at Avera Maryhouse in Pierre, South Dakota.

A memorial service to celebrate Sharon’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Madison Avenue Church of Christ in Pierre. The service will be a time for family and friends to gather, share memories, and honor Sharon’s life.

In a final tribute to her service to the nation, Sharon will be laid to rest with military honors at 12:30 pm (Mountain Time) on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, South Dakota. This solemn ceremony will provide an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices Sharon made for her country and the enduring impact of her service.

Born on February 2, 1950, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, Sharon was the beloved daughter of Virgil F. II and Lorraine Ellen (Benson) Geary. Her early years were spent in Aberdeen and attended Roncalli High School where she received several school awards for student standards. She joined the United States Army on November 17, 1976. Sharon was awarded an Army Commendation Medal for her marksmanship with an M-16 rifle. She was proud of her time in the service and was honorably discharged on November 16, 1979.

After her service, Sharon moved to Pierre, South Dakota, in 1980 and became a staff assistant with the South Dakota Department of Motor Vehicles. Sharon’s personal life flourished in Pierre. She married the love of her life, John E. French Jr. on April 5, 1986. Sharon continued to work for the DMV until her retirement in 1995. Retirement allowed her to spend more time with her loved ones and to engage in church activities and express her faith in Christ at the Madison Avenue Church of Christ.

In her free time Sharon enjoyed camping, fishing, bowling and spending every moment she could with her husband. She loved animals, especially cats. Sharon adopted several of the over the years. One of her hobbies that she was very proud of was writing stories and poems. In 2002 she published a book of poems call “Sharon’s Freestyle Poetry & Prose”. Her unique and rare style of writing poetry, earned her an “Editor’s Choice Award” from the International Library of Poetry.

Grateful for having shared in Sharon’s life are her husband, John of Pierre; step-daughters, Jenny (Tom) Dixon of Spring Hill, TN and Donna (Alex) Spencer and their son Tyler of Temple, TX; brother, Richard (Kim) Geary of Aberdeen; niece, Lauren (Henry) Pretorius of Aberdeen; nephew, Judd (Jessica) Geary and several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death her parents; brother, Virgil F. Geary III; father-in-law, John E. French Sr. and mother-in-law, Elaine F. French.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Isburg Funeral Chapel of Pierre.

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