Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend Sharon D. Yandell, age 85, passed away at home on Friday, August 28, 2026, after a long illness. She was born Sharon Dee Murphy to John P. Sr. and Dee (Russell) Murphy on October 25, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan. The family resided for a time in California and in Virginia, but mostly lived in the Detroit area. Sharon graduated with honors from Cooley High School in January 1959 and earned a National Merit Scholarship. She married her high school sweetheart, Keith E. Yandell, on August 22, 1959. She moved with him to Pasadena, CA, Ossining, NY, and Columbus, OH as he pursued his education. The family settled in Madison, WI in 1966.

Sharon was a brilliant and talented woman who devoted most of her time to her family. She studied ballet and modern dance as a young woman and took classes at Ballet Madison for many years. She also served as the Administrator of Ballet Madison Dance School and she designed and constructed most of the costumes for their Nutcracker Suite performances at the Al Ringling Theater in Baraboo, WI. She was a talented seamstress who also made costumes for other dance companies in Madison, including Kanopy Dance and Jazzworks. She did beautiful embroidery and small quilting projects. A voracious reader and gifted writer, Sharon worked in the Acquisitions and Editorial departments of the University of Wisconsin Press. In addition, she taught adult Sunday School classes at the Reformed Church of Madison and worked at Booked for Murder, a mystery bookstore in Madison.

While supporting her husband’s career as a professor and raising four children, Sharon earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, taking one or two classes at a time over a 16-year period. Her children were very proud of this achievement, although they did love to tease her as she joined them as a student, posting her one less-than-stellar exam grade on the refrigerator.

Sharon was a wonderful companion and supporter to the many friends she collected over the years. She maintained close relationships with one group for more than 50 years. She was kind, thoughtful, gentle, and one of the toughest people who ever lived. She lost her mother when she was only 28, and her son died suddenly at age 50. She experienced numerous other losses, injuries, and illnesses and came through all of them with grace and a quiet fortitude. She was every nurse’s favorite patient during her many times in the hospital and in rehabilitation. Anyone who was lucky enough to know her was richer for having done so.

Sharon is survived by her children, Karen Yandell and Merritt Yandell of Madison, and K. David (Julie) Yandell of Wausau; her grandsons, Steven Yandell (Meghan Baynes) of Chicago, and Patrick Yandell of Matawan, NJ; her sister, Colleen (Gary) Strait of Shelby, MI; nieces Sarah Zachmann of Howell, MI and Rebecca Murphy of Roseville, MI; nephews Nick (Sara) Strait and Zack (Lindsay Williams) Strait of Muskegon, MI; great nieces and nephews; and several cousins and their families. Her granddogs past and present have all loved her deeply, and Barley, Ahsoka, Biscuit, and Strudel will miss their grandma very much.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of more than 60 years; her son, Eric Yandell; her brother, J. Patrick Murphy, Jr; her grandmothers, Zella Grant and Carmen Russell; in-laws Phil and Velma Yandell; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family will receive visitors at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Rd. from 2:00 – 4:00 pm on Saturday, September 5. All are also welcome to join in a time of quiet prayer and remembrance beginning at 1:30.

Sharon’s family wish to thank her medical team, especially Drs. Alexis Eastman and Bernard Micke, and Meriter ICU Dr. Brian Griffith, the caregiving team at Seasons of Life, most of all Sharyl Gosselin, as well as Liz, Toni, Justine, and Susan. We are forever grateful for the kindness and support of Agrace Hospice, especially our nurses, Jen and Nate. We also thank the many friends old and new who joined us in loving Sharon. Those who would like to make a gift in Sharon’s name may do so to Planned Parenthood, Wisconsin Public Television, or any charitable organization that supports animal welfare or the arts.

Please share your memories in the online guestbook below.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434