Sharon Warnemuende

Sharon Joann Warnemuende (née Ficke)

Sharon was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on February 6, 1947 to Michael and Ella (Patzsch) Ficke. She joined her older siblings, Albert John (aka Jack), Janice Pauline, and Michael James II, and was followed by her sister Jinger Michaela a few years later. Sharon is survived by her four children: Kevin (Lavonda) Warnemuende, Kraig (Loren) Warnemuende, Kris (Katrina) Warnemuende, and Kathleen King. Her living grandchildren are Abigail and Zivah (Kevin); Clarissa, Evelyn, and Jonathan (Kraig); Eli, Simeon, Tahlia, Boden, Anya, and Waelan (Kris); and Xhayvian, Elizabeth, and Teidra (Kathy). She is also survived by her sisters Janice and Jinger, and her brother Michael.

Sharon’s parents were missionaries in Ecuador, and though they were in the United States when she was born, they soon returned to their ministry in Ecuador where Sharon spent most of her pre-college years. During those years, growing up in the jungles of Ecuador and boarding school in Quito, Sharon grew to love Jesus Christ and her host country.

Like her parents, Sharon wanted to become a missionary in Ecuador, so she headed to Moody Bible Institute for college. While there, she met and fell in love with Larry Warnemuende, whom she married on December 21, 1968. The couple pursued a future in overseas ministry, though Sharon had to shift her goal from South America to Africa. Larry became a pilot, while Sharon had a degree in elementary education and taught in several international schools.

They joined Mission Aviation Fellowship in 1973 and, over the course of their marriage of 56 years, they served in Central African Republic (CAR), Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo (then Zaire), Kenya, and the Middle East. When they retired to the States in 2011, they spent their final years loving and serving their family and church, as well as keeping contact with friends from overseas.

All those who have known Sharon over the years will agree that she was full of joy and love. She thrived on new experiences, and held her children with an open hand, encouraging them to live the life God set before them and to love him fully. One of her greatest joys was knowing that all four of her kids walked with the Lord. Sharon loved teaching, and over the course of many years and many countries she touched the lives of hundreds of students, introducing them to the wonder of learning, and when she could, gently turning their eyes to Jesus. Sharon also loved those she worked with and had deep friendships with fellow teachers, missionaries, and local women. When she wasn’t teaching school, she taught sewing classes and Bible classes. She supported Larry in his work, too, and in their early years was on-hand to monitor his flights to be sure his position was closely known in case of an emergency. During their time in CAR, she and Larry were dorm parents for a missionary kid school, having as many as eleven elementary kids in their home. She was known for her creative meals and making the most of the available supplies.

When Sharon and Larry retired to the States due to Larry’s ill health, Sharon leaned fully into caring for him and enjoying her kids and grandkids. Her home was always open, there was always a pot of soup ready at the end of every long journey, and there was plenty of homemade candy and cookies for the grandchildren (her children and their spouses had a hard time resisting these, too….). If there were house projects to be done, Sharon wanted to help, and she was sure to give suggestions for future projects as well, always with an offer to lend a hand.

In 2021, Sharon was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She came through surgery well, but a year later, the cancer returned, and she continued with treatment until the spring of 2024 when the treatment was no longer effective. That summer Larry passed away after years of deteriorating health, but Sharon was able to live fully, visiting her kids and grandkids who lived long-distance, spending time with church friends, and loving on her local kids and grandkids. She persevered through it, knowing that she was in her final days, but trusting that God had the best plan. She slowed down considerably in February of 2025, and passed away peacefully on Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025. All four of her children were able to be with her that final weekend.

Sharon’s family rejoices that she is free from pain and reunited with so many family members who preceded her in death: her parents, Michael and Ella, her brother Jack, her stillborn daughter Kandice (1978), and her granddaughter Keren (eldest daughter of Kraig and Loren). They know, above all, that she is most joyful to meet her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, face to face. They draw hope and comfort from this legacy of faith she left each of them, even while they miss her and wish they were able to have more years with her. They also hold closely her final gift to them—a series of handwritten verses she wrote out labeled: “For our family.” Here are a couple verses that reflect her heart and her hope:

Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me: your rod and your staff they comfort me."

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church, 43065 Joy Road, Canton, Michigan. Visitation is available starting at 10 a.m. The live stream link will be active ten minutes before the service at http://www.cbcjoy.org/memorial.

These are the family stories, and a few of their memories. They would love to hear your stories and memories of Sharon. Please share them here.