Sharon Marie Barnsdale

Sharon Marie Barnsdale, age 76, peacefully passed from the hands of her devoted earthly family into the loving arms of her eternal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 1, 2025 after a brief but courageous battle to heal cancer. Sharon was born to the late Mabel Bernice, “Bernie,” and Oliver William Anthony, “Ollie,” in Toledo, Ohio on February 10, 1948. Although as a small child she was known to chase passers by with a stick, she was still very much loved by her wonderful siblings: Darla Dutridge (Bob), Ernest Frye (Barb), the late Alan Anthony (Nancy), the late Jerry Anthony, and “sister” in her heart, Sandy Frye. Her beautiful smile and warm embrace will live on in the memories of her nieces and nephews: Jim Dutridge (Deb), Rick Dutridge (Sherrie), Don Dutridge (Darla), Nancy Johnston (Jeff), Steve Frye (Andrea), Jeff Frye (Keri), Nikki Kieffer (Bill), and Troy Anthony (Sandy). Sharon married the love of her life, David Patrick Barnsdale, on June 21, 1983 in Toledo, Ohio. With her teen daughter, Lisa Carnes (Erickson), they made their first family move to Pine Bluff, Arkansas for a job opportunity. Dave and Sharon were employed at Ben Pearson Archery for a year and a half before moving to Florence, WI in 1984. Sharon and Dave were beyond excited to raise their daughter in this area and thrilled to work for Ken Laird at American Archery. Dave and Sharon were fortunate enough to start their own business in 1990, Barnsdale Archery Manufacturing, where she continued to work until she became too ill to do so in August of 2024. As a woman with a great capacity to love, Sharon longed for grandchildren. Prior to 1998, she was considering the possibility of “renting” them. Alas, the Lord heard her cry and blessed her with three beautiful grandchildren. Sharon showered Bradley, Courtney, and Riley with unwavering love and support until her last spoken words. She was so proud of each of them for their many talents and loving nature. Sharon became a follower of Christ within the last decade of her life when she heard the Gospel message in the song, “How Great Thou Art.” The third stanza brought her to her knees in repentance and faith. Her life had always been marked by love, and compassion, but this change brought an added measure of unwavering faith in God. She stated most assuredly that she was not afraid to die because she was confident that she would be going home. While this made it easier to accept her passing, her absence has left a painful void in the hearts of her family and friends. In her honor, just a few hours after her passing, we made sure to kick her son-in-law’s butt in a game of Aggravation. She didn’t really care if she lost any game just as long as Chase Erickson didn’t win! She was quick witted, skillfully sarcastic, and would often start laughing at what she was about to say even before she could say it! She had the gift of making people feel welcomed, accepted, and loved. During the last 6 months of her life, we were all grateful to realize just how impactful she was in the lives of so many, and they, in turn, were such immense blessings to her: Dave’s sister and cousins, many in the archery world, community church members and Pastors at Homestead Baptist Church and Aurora Free Church… She wanted to make sure that a proper thank you was given to the Florence County EMS, Florence County Sheriff’s Department, Integrity Care EMS, and the caring staff that cared for her at Marshfield Medical Center/Dickinson. A celebration of Sharon’s life will be conducted in the spring at her beloved home church, Homestead Baptist Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Sharon Marie Barnsdale online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Sharon Marie Barnsdale

February 10, 1948 - February 1, 2025