"You're welcome" she whispered as her words became few and far between in her final days. This was in response to her being thanked, thanked for everything, a lifetime of magical moments, beauty, love, and service. She would never put herself on a podium for attention, would never have asked to be thanked, but perhaps in her final days, she knew her life's accomplishments were a job well done. We imagine those who knew and loved her would love to thank her one last time, too. Rest assured, she knows and says, "you're welcome."

Sharlene "Shari" Johanna Rademaker Wild passed away on October 1, 2023, at her home in Onekama, Michigan. Shari was born on April 11, 1940, in Manistee, Michigan, to the late Lloyd Henry and Johanna Hulda Rupp Rademaker. Her grandfather Rupp was pastor at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manistee. She attended Manistee High School and Sparrow Hospital for nursing school in Lansing, Michigan. She was a nurse for nearly 20 years and touched the lives of countless patients under her care. The University of Michigan Health's Trauma Burn Center in Ann Arbor, Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, the State Hospital in Traverse City, Memorial Hospital in Onekama, and West Shore in Manistee were the primary places she worked. Her face would light up when she talked about her days as a nurse, especially when she was chatting with someone who felt the same way and had similar experiences.

Her children and grandchildren were the center of her world. She offered unconditional support and love. She brought family together for the holidays and prepared the most beautiful meals (lasagna, chicken broccoli casserole, seven-layer rainbow jello, and pistachio salad are at the top of the list!). The refrigerator was always full, and there was always an extra clean bed (or two or three) for family to visit. She instilled the value of hard work in her children and showed so much love and affection to her grandchildren. She ensured family came first and was always there when they needed her most.

Shari was a woman who lived a life of service to others, as she said that was her rent for living. And in a world dominated by men, Shari was a pioneer. She was steadfast in her belief that we can do better. Her smile could cut like a razor and open doors that were previously closed. She was a leader.

The breadth and depth of her community involvement was vast. Shari was a member of the Manistee Civic Players and part of the group that worked to restore the Ramsdell Theater in the 1990s, on the Onekama School Board, Manistee County Commissioner for 14 years, and Chairperson of the Board for 10 years. Her name is on the Manistee Courthouse to this day. She was part of the "Save Our Station" movement to lobby and promote the need for the presence of the U.S. Coast Guard in Manistee. She even traveled to Washington, DC to testify before Congress on the need to keep the Coast Guard Station. She oversaw the Infant Closet at Holy Trinity Church where she was an active member, enVision Manistee County Steering Committee member, gathered supplies for cats and dogs at Homeward Bound Animal Shelter, was a mediator for the court system, was on the board of Love, INC, the business owner of Lloyd Henry's Fine Art Gallery in downtown Manistee (an homage to her father), an active member of Right to Life and the Manistee County Republicans, as well as a member of the Manistee Downtown Development Association (DDA). Not only did she serve on these committees and boards, but she was an active member advocating for change and betterment in the community.

Shari's other loves were Lake Michigan and animals. A sense of calm and serenity filled her when she was overlooking the lapping waters of Lake Michigan. She always had a German Shepherd by her side, a cat at her feet, and birds nearby. She loved being on the farm with the animals and was always willing to rescue a stray or rehab it until it could go back into the wild. Perhaps she understood those animals on another level because she too was, and still is, a free spirit.

She is survived by her husband, David Allen Wild, MD; sister Arlene Schwartz; children, Michael (Nancy) Kenny, Nathan Kenny, Kris (Bob Hawkins) Kenny, David (Lulu) Wild, Nelson Wild, Susan (Jamey) Barnard, Jani (Deb) Wild, Karen Brown, and Sarah (Sam) Lantz; sixteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Vernon Schwartz, and her son-in-law, Timothy Glyn Brown.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at Oak Grove Funeral Home of Manistee. Visitation begins at 10:00 a.m. with a service at 11:00 a.m.

Please visit Shari's personal page of memories at www.oakgrovefh.com to share a photo or story. Arrangements by Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Manistee.