Sharon Griesbach

Sharon Ann Griesbach, age 80, of Madison, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on July 16th, 2021. She was born on November 30th, 1940 in Madison, WI to Eola (Strick) and Ferdinand Wipperfurth. Sharon married, Thomas Hellenbrand and they had six children.  She worked as a bookkeeper in the family business, Mobile Glass, until 1992.

On May 27, 2001 she married Ray Griesbach of Monona. Sharon and Ray enjoyed traveling together. From African safaris to Bahamian islands, they experienced the world together and made many new friends during their travels. Sharon’s lifelong friend since grade school, Pat Breunig, was able to enjoy a Scotland and Ireland cruise with Sharon, her children and grandchildren in 2017.

In May of 2020, during Covid, Ray fell ill of Parkinson’s and passed away peacefully with Sharon at his side.

Sharon was involved with Attic Angels and, with Ray, Oscar Meyer READI (Retired Employees and Dedicated Individuals) Volunteers. Sharon enjoyed walking with Pat, Karen Niesen and her Waunakee Walkers – eleven women that have been together for over 30 years. Sharon enjoyed spending time with her family and she especially treasured going out to eat with her grandkids and eating dessert first!

Sharon is survived by her brother: Grant (Paula) Wipperfurth; children: Tami (Gregg) Ulatowski, Todd (Laurel) Hellenbrand, Helen Hellenbrand, Shawn (Basia) Hellenbrand, Trent (Tamara) Hellenbrand and Tracy Wegenast; step-sons: Paul and Brian (Elizabeth) Griesbach; step-daughter: Susan (Bob Langan) Griesbach-Langan; grandchildren: Hannah, Ava, and Greta Ulatowski; Tony (Kristin) Hellenbrand, Amanda (Ben) Sawyer, Jacob (Nicole) Hellenbrand, Katelyn (Cory) Knapp; Constantine, Thomas, John Paul, Joseph, Maria, Matthew and Benedict Hellenbrand; TJ (Brittni) Hellenbrand and Tierney (friend Nik) Hellenbrand; step-grandsons: Brandon, Casey(Amber) and Garrett Wegenast, Spencer Langan and Austin Griesbach; step-granddaughter: Bridget Griesbach; four great-grandchildren, six step-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Eola and Ferdinand Wipperfurth, brothers; Garfield and Gregory Wipperfurth, sisters Judith Fleiner and Beverly Foss, husband Ray, son Troy and son-in-law Joel Wegenast.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 23rd, 2021 at 2pm at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 209 South St, Waunakee. Msgr. Gunn will officiate. Visitation will be held at St. John’s from 1pm until the time of service. A Private burial will take place at Roselawn Cemetery in Madison.

Sharon’s warm spirit and kind heart will live on in us forever.  Now she can eat all the sweets her heart desires.  You were the best Mom, Aunt, Mother-in-law, Grandma, Great-Grandma and friend a person could wish for. Now our guardian angel in heaven, we will love you forever. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St John’s Catholic Church in memory of Sharon.

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Winn-Cress Funeral Home

5785 Hwy Q

Waunakee, WI