Sharon Ottmar

Sharon Ottmar, age 79, left this world on May 18, 2026, cutting her life short after a courageous, but unfair battle with Glioblastoma.

A memorial service is planned for Friday, June 26, 2026, at Eastgate Funeral Home in Bismarck, ND.

Sharon Ann Ottmar was born on October 5, 1946, in Elgin, ND, to John and Emma (Gunsch) Ottmar. She grew up on the family farm and as one of the oldest of seven children; she was tasked with wrangling her little siblings. Sharon attended the rural school and Burt, ND, school then attended high school in Mott, ND, graduating in 1964. She went to complete a secretarial school program in Bismarck. Sharon remained in Bismarck where she worked in medical offices handling insurance and billing at St. Alexis Hospital, Central Dakota Radiology, and Dakota Eye, where she remained until her retirement in 2014.

The years brought some joy and grief. In April of 1969, her family suffered the crushing loss of brother, Stan, in the Vietnam War. In December of 1971, the light of her life arrived when her daughter, Tosha, was born.

Sharon was an avid reader and could often be found sunning on the patio engrossed in a good book. Her day was planned around her daily walk. She enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles, counted cross stitch (too many to count), and spending time with her family and friends. Sharon often traveled to visit her grandchildren in South Dakota. Loved the bus tours with her sisters to Santa Fe, Nashville, and Washington D.C.

As her illness progressed, Sharon had recently moved to assisted living in Milbank, SD, to be near her daughter and grandchildren and enjoyed her brief residency there.

Sharon leaves behind her beloved daughter, Tosha Overby; and her grandchildren: Rylie Overby and Jacob Overby. She is also survived by her sisters: Claudia Bentz, Cory Laib, Mavis (Taylor) Jarnagin, and LuAnn (Tom) Fries; and brother, Maurice (Colette) Ottmar. Nieces and nephews surviving her include: Burnell (Jackie) Bentz, Kevin (Lesley) Bentz, Terry (Nicole) Bentz, Alan (Darla) Bentz, Joleen (Kurt) Walbillig, Donovan (Chauntal) Laib, Damian (Janet) Laib, Dana (Chris) Boelter, Allison (Dan) Phipps, Rachel Jarnagin, Krista (Tyler) New, Jarred Fries, and Janell (Josh) Richardson.

She was preceded from this earth by her parents, John and Emma Ottmar; brother, Stanley Ottmar, and brother-in-law, Milbert Bentz.