Sharon Lee Held

Sharon “Sherry” Lee Held lived a full life of 88 years which was filled with family, friends and music.  She loved each day and looked forward to it rain or shine.

Sherry L. Taylor was born in a home in Kansas City, MO on February 6, 1934.  On February 23, 1934, George and Viola Taylor adopted her and took her home to Goldfield, IA.  In this home, she learned the values of hard work, church and just the love of life.  She graduated from Goldfield High School in 1951. Sherry continued her education by attending Morningside College in Sioux City, IA.  Her college days were filled with music and theater.  It was at Morningside where she met the love of her life, Warren Held.  In 1970, she graduated from Buena Vista College with a teaching degree.  She also enjoyed her two years at BV. 

On September 13, 1953, Warren and Sherry were united in marriage at Goldsmith Methodist Church.  They moved to Cherokee, IA in 1960 and became members of the Cherokee Community Theater and St. Paul Methodist Church.   They welcomed three children Gregory, Holly, and Heidi.

Sherry taught music in the Cherokee public schools for 15 years and 5 years in Willow School District.  She was always pushing them to do their best and loved teaching them.  Sherry was awarded the Cherokee Citizen of the Year in 2005 for her dedication to the community.  She also was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cherokee Community Theater for her sixty years of leadership in the performing arts.  She was on the Morningside Alumni Board for 12 years and enjoyed making college a better place.  She also continued to be active at St. Paul Methodist Church.

On June 25, 2022, Sherry passed away peacefully at her home.  She was welcomed to her eternal home by her husband, Warren, parents George and Viola Taylor and a brother, George. 

Sherry is survived by her children, Gregory (Diann) Held of Cleghorn, Holly (Tim) Ohlson of Meriden and Heidi Held of St. Paul, MN;  sisters-in-law, Darlene Harris and Karen Taylor; grandchildren, Matt (Tina) Ohlson, Melanie (Kyle) Flanagan, Micaela Ohlson, Benjamin (Kristi) Held, Courtney (Josh Chamberlain) Held, Rachel (Steven) Doeden, Rebecca Drake, and Larissa (Aden) Raber; great-grandchildren, Raeonna Rolfson Lillian, Ayla, Kade, Declan, Quinn, Brecken, Alexandria, Edmund, Lucas, Aubrey, DeLani, Deidra, Tate, Dru, Ellie, Willow, Kinnick, Sawyer, Makenley, Wayde and Trinity; special friends, Meryl and Keith Henningson; many nieces, nephews, former students and friends. 

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