Sharon L. Andersen, 88
Sharon was born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on Feb. 5, 1936, and passed away there July 18, 2024, at the age of 88, from complications of Parkinsons Disease and COPD. Her parents were longtime residents of Coeur d’Alene, Vern and Mildred Hippier. Her father was a manager of the Safeway store on Third Street for over 25 years. Her mother worked as a legal and medical secretary before becoming a full-time homemaker.
Sharon was delighted to have grown up in this beautiful and comfortable town in its best years. She involved herself in a wide array of the opportunities that existed in those days for recreational and social pastimes. She had many friends and acquaintances with which to enjoy her early years. Many of those friendships have endured until her passing. She also shared many happy hours with her three younger brothers, Larry, Jon and Jim, whom she prized.
Sharon attended elementary and secondary schools in the Coeur d’Alene School District and graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School with the noteworthy class of 1954. She went on to complete nurse training at Deaconess School of Nursing and Whitworth College. This was followed by several years of travel and employment in Florida and Idaho.
In 1957, she met and dated Dale Andersen, a teacher in Great Falls, Mont., at that time. This developed into a full-blown romance, and in 1958, they were married in the First Presbyterian Church in Coeur d’Alene. Over time, Dale pursued graduate work, which culminated in a doctoral degree from Arizona State University. Throughout these years, Sharon worked as a registered nurse to help support the family, which had grown. As one after another came three children who represented Sharon’s greatest pride. Her oldest son, David, became an MD; her second child, Julie, became a world-class medical scientist; and Brian, the youngest, studied political science and was a history buff.
Sharon had a great thirst for travel and did so extensively with Dale and later with their daughter, Julie, both domestically and worldwide. She has visited Paris, London, Brussels, Budapest, Prague and several other international cities. She enjoyed visits to Honolulu, Hawaii, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta, Albuquerque, San Diego and most other major cities in the U.S. Her wanderlust thirst was seldom quenched.
When the time came to retire in 2003, the family elected to return to Coeur d’Alene to enjoy its remaining years. Sharon was especially pleased to rekindle friendships with some 15 of her high school classmates in a group self-labeled the “54 GIRLS.” They shared monthly lunches and a variety of social interactions. These were happy and rewarding years for Sharon.
Unfortunately, Sharon fell ill in the late 2000’s with Parkinsons Disease and COPD. The final years, until her passing, were challenging. Thus ends the story of a caring, loving, energetic woman who was fun-loving and always up for a good time. She loved people and was gregarious — just ask her best friends. She was an adventurist who hated to sit still.
Sharon is survived by her husband of 65 years, Dale; her three children: David, the dependable, steady rock of the family, Julie, the super mom disguised as a world-class scientist, and Brian, the lovable, empathic humorist of the family. Sharon is also survived by her beloved son-in-law, Dr. Gordon Lithgow, also a world-renowned scientist, as well as a gourmet cook and golfing buddy to Dale; and grandson Calum Lithgow, whom she adored, who is a connoisseur of fine dining and enjoys ferry rides. Also surviving Sharon is her brother, Jon and his wife, Cyndi, both prominent community leaders in the Coeur d’Alene community; and sister-in-law Barbara Hippler of Boise; as well as some 21 nieces and nephews; and a bevy of friends too numerous to list.
She was preceded in death by two brothers: Larry Hippler (wife, Barbara) of Boise and Jim Hippler of Las Vegas.
Her wishes that there be no public services and that she be interred at Forest Cemetery in the Andersen burial niche will be honored. Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Her online guestbook is at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.
Andersen