Sharon Kay (Antons) Roller, 70, of rural Monticello died peacefully after a courageous battle of cancer on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids surrounded by family.

Sharon was born on August 24, 1954 at the John McDonald Hospital in Monticello to Richard and Pauline (Tobiason) Antons. She was raised on the family's century farm helping her parents raise horned Herford cattle. It was here that she developed a deep love for caring for others. Sharon attended Midland Community Schools and later graduated from Monticello High School with the class of 1972. She was active in band, 4-H and FFA, and sang in the choir. She was named the Eastern Iowa Hereford Queen in 1973 and later Jones County Beef Princess in 1974.

Sharon began her nursing career at the Saint Louis Municipal School of Nursing where she also worked as a CNA while attending school. She transitioned to Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls and then attended Kirkwood Community College where she received her Registered Nurse (RN) degree. Sharon later earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from the University of Dubuque in 1982. Sharon was an exceptional student, and her honors included induction into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing -- Kappa Beta Chapter.

Sharon was a natural "people person," and caring for others, especially the sick and injured, came easily to her. She pursued her passion for helping others through various roles in her career. For a brief time, she worked in the Orthopedics Department at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and proudly served at the John McDonald Hospital from 1978-1991. Here, she served in many capacities including surgery, emergency medicine, community outreach/education, Nursing Director, and Associate Administrator. Mementos of her time at the hospital are on display at the Monticello Heritage Center. Later, Sharon was hired as the first-ever nurse clinician at Four Oaks in Monticello where she led the development of numerous practices to help serve the patients in a more proficient manner.

Sharon always sought new opportunities to help others, and this drive led her to dedicate four decades of her life to Camp Courageous in addition to her other important responsibilities. She was hired part-time in 1979 and became the Nursing Director in 1991 where she served until her retirement in 2020. In this role, Sharon cared for thousands of campers and their families while also serving as a mentor and mother figure for hundreds of camp counselors and staff. Sharon's legacy at Camp Courageous continues through the wisdom, advice, and practices she shared for more than a generation.

Her passion for helping others also included teaching. She taught certified nursing assistant (CNA) courses at Kirkwood Community College and maintained her first aid/CPR instructor certifications from the American Heart Association until 2021. She also enjoyed teaching babysitting and medication manager courses throughout the community. Sharon was a Nurse of Hope, offering cancer education programs throughout Iowa. In a Monticello Express article about Sharon in 2020, she said, "Holding the hand of a terminally ill patient, or working with a physically or mentally challenged individual provides the greatest satisfaction." Sharon's Motto: "What you do for yourself dies with you, but what you do for others lives on forever!"

Sharon also, amazingly, ran the first-aid station at the Great Jones County Fair (GJCF) for many years. Each day of the fair, Sharon would work as sole medical provider for thousands of fairgoers until well past the evening fireworks. She had a special place in her heart for the Five Best Days of Summer. In 2016, Sharon and her daughter Christine, who followed her mother into the nursing profession, were both granted the GJCF Hall of Fame Award for their service.

In addition to her varied and exceptional service to the community, Sharon was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. Sharon met the love of her life, Edwin Roller, while showing horses at the Great Jones County Fair. Sharon's horse Misty needed help with a leg injury, and Ed knew exactly what to do. Sharon and Misty won Reserve Champion the same day. Ed and Sharon were married on August 19, 1978 at Wayne Zion Church. Sharon and Ed settled in Monticello, first down the street from John McDonald Hospital and later to the Roller Homestead on Hardscrabble Road. She enjoyed spending time at the Hardscrabble Castle Grove #9 School House where she planted and nurtured beautiful flower beds and landscapes under her Master Gardner expertise. Picnics, reunions, and parties were a highlight of her ongoing talents. She was the best Oma to her grandchildren and found great joy in their presence. The excitement of meeting each one fulfilled her life.

Sharon is survived by her husband, Ed; daughter Christine (Justin) Engwall of Brighton, IA and Charlie (Kelsey) Roller of rural Monticello; grandchildren Jacob, Carleigh, and Joel Engwall; and Heidi, Natalie, Ellie, and Josie Roller; her mother Pauline Antons; sister Karen (Kevin) Sindelar; brother-in-law Larry (Cheryl) Roller and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her father Richard Antons and in-laws Lynn and Elizabeth (Rieniets) Roller.

Funeral services will be held at 11AM on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church with internment in Oakwood Cemetery in Monticello. Visitation will be held from 4p-7p on Tuesday, July 29 at Goettsch Funeral Home in Monticello.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Jones County Nursing Honor Guard, Great Jones County Fair First Aid Station or Wayne Zion Lutheran Church