OOTHOUDT, Sharon Janet

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, Arizona Thursday, March 22, 2012 Sharon Erickson Johnson Oothoudt Sharon Janet Erickson was born in Forsyth, Montana on October 29, 1942, to the late Roy and Gladys (Legg) Erickson. She enjoyed many things in life, like the joy and love of cooking and baking. Sharon prepared many wonderful dishes and she was always willing to share them with anyone and everyone. She also enjoyed knitting afghans, neck scarves and dishcloths. Reading all genres was an important activity as was enjoying long conversations with friends and family. Sharon greatly enjoyed playing the bells and singing in the choir at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church. The out-of-doors was vital to Sharon and living in Flagstaff enhanced that love of nature: hiking, camping, traveling in the motorhome, especially summers in Minnesota and North Dakota and communing with nature. Sending out cards of various kinds, either by snail mail or email was a daily activity. Sharon graduated from Bismarck High School in 1960 and continued her education at Dickinson University (Dickinson State College) Dickinson, ND receiving her Bachelor’s degree in 1963. George Peabody College in Nashville, TN and received her Masters of Arts in Library Science in 1964. She also accumulated 100 additional hours of study at the University of Arizona in Tucson and Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. Sharon’s professional activities included working at the North Dakota State Library Commission for four years. She taught at Stratford High School in Nashville, TN, Burke High School in Omaha, NE, Flagstaff Public Schools District Office for 4 years and Camp Verde High School for 21 years. Sharon belonged to the National Library Association, National Education Association, Arizona Education Association, Camp Verde Education Association and was a lifetime member of the Arizona Education and Communication Technology (AECT). Sharon was married to Harlan R. Johnson of Flagstaff for 29 years and their children include Kyle Ray (Jody) Johnson, Tammy Lynn (James) House and Kevin Roy Johnson. Sharon was married again to Gerald D. Oothoudt for 15 years and their children include Janet L. (Mark) Miller, David A. (Shauna) Oothoudt, George M. Oothoudt, Gerald D. (Tammy) Oothoudt and James B. Oothoudt, 19 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends across the country. Sharon is preceded in death by her parents, aunts and uncles and an infant son Kent Roy Johnson (August 20, 1970), and her husband Gerald D. Oothoudt (November 30, 2007). In lieu of flowers contributions in Sharon’s name may be made to Mended Hearts Chapter 126 c/o Don Luther 3802 N. Zurich St. Flagstaff, AZ 86004 or to the Olivia White Hospice Home, P.O. Box 997, Flagstaff, AZ 86002. A visitation will be held on Sunday, March 25, 2012 from 4:30pm to 6:30 pm at Lozano’s Flagstaff Mortuary, 2545 N. Fourth Street. Funeral services will be on Monday, March 26, 2012 at 10:30 am at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church, 3600 N. Fourth Street. Sharon will be laid to rest next to her husband Gerald and her son Kent at Citizens Cemetery, 1300 S. San Francisco Street at 2:00 pm. Condolences may be sent directly to the family or expressed online at www.FlagstaffMortuary.com. Arrangements are by Lozano’s Flagstaff Mortuary. This obituary was prepared by the Advertising Department (928) 556-2279.