Sharon L. Pijan

Sharon L. Pijan, 84, Wausau passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born February 18, 1941 in Stevens Point, WI, daughter of the late William and Alice (Novitzke) Piehl. On June 5, 1965 she married John Pijan at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. He preceded her in death on January 23, 2025.

For many years Sharon worked in Data Processing / Information Systems at the old Wausau North Hospital, and after that at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Sharon never looked at her career as a job, her co-workers were an extension of her family, and she loved them all like family. And if you ask any of them, I know they would tell you the same about her.

Sharon was a devoted wife of a US Navy war veteran, and a loving mother of three US military veterans, whom she was extremely proud of their service to their country. During her sons’ younger years, she was heavily involved in the cub scouts as a “den mother”. And like many moms, she was always the behind-the-scenes support system and “taxi driver” for everything her sons were involved in; scouting, music, sports, church, theater. Whatever it was, it only happened because of her tireless effort, and her never ending support for her three boys.

She was a devoted Christian and active member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, as well as the other Catholic churches in the area.

She enjoyed doing many things during her free time… knitting, playing bridge with her friends, camping with her family, and watching her favorite baseball team, the Milwaukee Brewers, to name a few. However, nothing gave her more joy than the time she got to spend with her grandchildren. God made Sharon to be a grandma, and she embraced that role with every bit of her heart and soul.

Survivors include her son, James (Andrea) Pijan, her grandchildren; Alan, Dallas Girard, Korbin and Tyler (LaDonna); three great-grandchildren, Lumen, Tennley and Aurora; her siblings, Polly Kimball, Steve (Mary) Piehl and Alice Piehl; brothers and sisters through marriage, Nancy Pijan, Leonard Jr & Brenda Pijan, Susan Brisch and David Pijan; and many dearly loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Mary Elizabeth; sons, Richard and Kevin; granddaughter Aarian Range; brothers, Billy Piehl, Tim Piehl, Terry Piehl and Chris Piehl; sisters-in-law, Shirley Piehl (Tim), Carol Pijan (Leonard Jr), Barbara Russ (Harold) and Peggy Pijan (David); brothers-in-law, Fritz Kimball (Polly), Harold Russ (Barbara) and Joseph Brisch (Susan).

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 30, 2025 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a parish rosary service at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday evening at the Sixth Street funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com