Sharon Lee Hilliard, age 85, of Ogallala, NE peacefully entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in the presence of her three children, Kevin, Kelly, and Kristi.
She was born in Ogallala, NE on August 1, 1939 to Henry and Nellie Mayden. She was the second of three children. Sharon graduated from Ogallala High School in 1957. She married Samuel Azro Hilliard, her high school sweetheart, on June 7, 1959. They made their home on Sam's family farm south of Roscoe, NE. They raised 3 children on the farm: Samuel Kevin, Kelly, and Kristi.
Sharon's high school friendships didn't end at graduation. Her Class of '57 friendships were cultivated for years to come with annual trips to see her friends. The real love of Sharon's life were her grandchildren: Shawn, Shane, Shadd, Jaymie, Jack, and Nicholas. She rocked them when they were babies and let them run the farm as they grew.
Sharon is survived by her son, Samuel Kevin Hilliard of Grant, NE; her two daughters, Kelly (Kevin) Utley of Ogallala, NE and Kristi Hilliard (Mike Snyder) of Ogallala, NE; five grandsons, Shawn (Jeannine Cochran of Fleming, CO, Shane (Whitney) Cochran of Kearney, NE, Shadd Cochran of Lincoln, NE, Nicholas Snyder of Ogallala, NE, and Jack Snyder of Ogallala, NE; one granddaughter, Jaymie Lynn Hilliard of Kearney, NE; two great grandsons, Colton Cochran and Carter Cochran; and a great granddaughter, Berkleigh Cochran.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents; a grandson, Christopher Hilliard; her sister, Patricia Darnell; and her brother, Robert Mayden.
Visitation will be held at Draucker Funeral Home on Thursday, May 1, 2025 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. MST in Ogallala, NE. Family will greet friends from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. MST.
Her celebration of life service will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. MST at St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Ogallala, Nebraska with Pastor Albert Bader officiating. Interment will take place at the Ogallala Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the St. Paul's Lutheran School.
Condolences may be left by going to www.drauckerfh.com.
Services will be live-streamed and can be watched by going to www.drauckerfh.com.