Sharron Lea Kraemer

Sharron Kraemer of Arroyo Grande passed peacefully on October 8th 2023 at age 84, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.  Sharron was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  At age 12, she emigrated with her parents by train to Southern California.  She graduated from Cal High in Whittier, CA and later in 1982 from Cal State Fullerton.  She graduated from CSUF the same semester as her daughter Kathy.  They shared some classes and Sharron even copied Kathy’s homework once! It took Sharron 25 years to earn her diploma graduating with a BA in Cultural Anthropology.  She was particularly interested in indigenous cultures of North and South America focusing on their art.  She traveled to Equador, Columbia and Peru thru Fullerton Community College.  One of her favorite places was Santa Fe, NM.  Art was a life long passion for Sharron.  She studied art history, took art classes, was rarely without her sketchbook.  She created beautiful watercolors and pastels and enjoyed plein aire painting along the coast.  She traveled to Spain to paint there for 6 weeks.  In her younger years, Sharron was a secretary but most of her life was spent as a stay at home mom and Homemaker.  She enjoyed travel, reading, and quilting.  She belonged to a neighborhood luncheon group that over the years became a couples social club that included many parties, travel and lifelong friends. She enjoyed time spent with family. 

Sharron embraced California as her home.  She began her life here living in an apartment building in Hollywood owned by her aunt.  She remembers often seeing old time movie stars walking up the street to the studio.  She lived for many years in Whittier, Brea where she raised a family, Dana Point, Half Moon Bay, San Juan Capistrano and Nipomo.  In the late ‘50’s, she lived for 3 years in Kendallville, Indiana with her first husband, Gean Edwards.  Their daughter, Kathy, was born there.

All those things were aspects of Sharron, but the overriding most important standout of Sharron’s life was the deeply loving, close and strong bond she had with her 2nd husband, companion, partner and best friend, Gordon Kraemer.  They shared 58 years of marriage, living life weathering the difficult times but mostly creating a good life for themselves.  Together they faced Sharron’s Alsheimer diagnosis.  8 years ago, she was no longer able to be cared for at home.  From then on, Gordon rarely missed a daily visit with Sharron even through Covid shut down.  He took her out on excursions when he could, visited her through the fence during Covid and later outside in the garage, masked up.  He always, always brought his devotion, deep love and often music, See’s candy, her favorite black licorice and most importantly, his loving presence.  He held her hand, talked and just loved her.

Sharron is survived by her husband, Gordon Kraemer, two daughters:  Kathleen Shutt and Erin Kraemer, 11 grandchildren:  Jeffrey Shutt, Megan Fetto, Kristen Shutt, Sean Kraemer, Jessie DelCarlo, Isabella Wolfe, Quinton DelCarlo, Joseph DelCarlo, Cannon Kraemer, Scarlett Smith and Sophia Smith and 5 great grandchildren:  Cameron Shutt, Oliver Shutt, Mylen Kraemer, Thea Kraemer, Luna Del Carlo. 

A memorial service will be held at a later date still TBD by family.

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome in Sharron’s memory to her two favorite charities:  Boy’s Town or St. Joseph's Indian School PO Box 326, Chamberlain, SD 57326

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