MASON CITY — Sharon J. Koenigsfeld, 84, passed away September 20, 2026, at MercyOne Medical Center in Mason City.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 25, at First United Methodist Church in Mason City, with Pastor Jon Montgomery officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, September 24, at Major Erickson Funeral Home in Mason City.
Sharon was born June 2, 1942, in Tacoma, Washington, the oldest daughter of Vida and Leo. She grew up with her sister, Linda, and brothers Richard and David, spending much of her childhood at her grandparents’ home on Trout Lake.
Those early years left Sharon with a lasting love of family, nature and adventure. Mount Rainier remained a special place to her throughout her life, and she returned whenever she had the opportunity.
Sharon attended Bethel College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where she formed a lifelong friendship with Kathy. Summers spent working along the Gunflint Trail deepened her affection for northern Minnesota, an area that would remain one of her favorite places for the rest of her life.
As a single mother, Sharon raised daughters Jenny and Kim, giving them what her family remembered as a strong example of independence, compassion and resilience. She shared with them her love of reading, movies, travel, animals, the environment and service to others.
After moving from California to Iowa in 1970, Sharon found a community that became home for her and her daughters.
Family life was rarely dull. Road trips, camping, games and other adventures filled the years when her daughters were young, and those traditions continued as they became adults and started families of their own.
Sharon lived for years with multiple sclerosis, but her family remembered her determination to keep doing the things that brought her happiness.
Another important chapter began when Sharon found her life partner, Peter Koenigsfeld. The two were married January 3, 1987, during a private family ceremony at their home along the river.
Their marriage brought together Sharon’s daughters and Peter’s children, Val and Tony, creating a blended family centered around their shared love of one another, nature and life along the Winnebago River.
Their river home became the setting for countless family memories.
Sharon enjoyed sitting with Pete on the porch swing watching the water, tending her gardens and photographing wildlife. Christmas gatherings, Fourth of July celebrations, summer days around the pool and paddling on the river all became part of the family traditions she treasured.
Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her enormous joy. She loved sharing crafts, experiences and adventures with younger generations and remained deeply involved in family life.
Service to others was another defining part of Sharon’s life.
She devoted her professional career to social work and advocating for children and vulnerable adults through the Department of Health and Human Services at both county and state levels. Her work helped develop training and best practices for foster and adoptive parents.
While working full time and raising her daughters, Sharon steadily worked toward a master’s degree in public administration from Iowa State University, taking classes one at a time until the degree was complete.
After her years with DHHS, Sharon continued working with foster and adoptive families through the Child Welfare Project.
Faith was equally important to her.
Sharon was active at church, participated in Bible studies, taught third-grade Sunday school and helped with United Methodist Women projects. She also volunteered at Mercy Hospital, served on boards and regularly gave her time to organizations and people who needed help.
She brought that same enthusiasm to Girl Scouts, serving as a leader for her daughters and granddaughter and taking part in activities at Girl Scout Camp Tanglefoot — even tackling the high ropes course.
Travel remained one of Sharon’s great joys.
She and Pete returned often to northern Minnesota, sharing Grand Marais and Lake Superior with the generations that followed them. The couple once drove the entire circumference of Lake Superior, traveling through both the United States and Canada.
Sharon’s adventures ranged far beyond the Midwest. She backpacked through Europe, traveled to the East Coast and even went ziplining through the rainforest in Costa Rica.
Sometimes an adventure could be as simple as getting in the car with Pete and exploring a country road. Other times, she traveled through the movies she loved, especially stories that carried her imagination somewhere far away.
Sharon is survived by her husband, Peter Koenigsfeld; daughters Kim Mathison and Sue Powers, Jenny Seylar, Valerie Koenigsfeld and Jim Duffy, and Tony Koenigsfeld and Beth Rasmussen; grandchildren Andy Seylar and Stephanie, Callie Deblon and Riley, Ethan Seylar and Callie, and Jarod Koenigsfeld; five great-grandchildren; brother Richard Bonfoey and Donna; nieces and nephews; and three sisters-in-law.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, brother, son-in-law, cousins and other people who held special places in her life.
Family members remembered Sharon especially for her warm smile and ability to make people feel noticed, important and loved.
Those wishing to read the family’s complete remembrance or leave condolences may visit the official obituary for Sharon J. Koenigsfeld through Major Erickson Funeral Home.
Memorials may be directed to the Iowa Donor Network, reflecting Sharon’s belief in organ donation and in continuing to help others even after death.
Her life leaves behind a wide trail of memories — from Mount Rainier and the Gunflint Trail to the Winnebago River, from Girl Scout camp to Lake Superior, and from quiet evenings on the porch swing to adventures halfway around the world.
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