Sharon L. Kruckenberg, age 83 of Lowden, was called home to heaven on Wednesday April 8, 2026 at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. A Memorial service will be held on Monday April 13 at 11:00 AM at Zion United Church of Christ in Lowden. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until service time at the church. Burial will be in the Lowden Cemetery.

Sharon was born on August 11, 1942. The daughter of Lillian (Dreyer) and Walter Brendes, Sharon was born and raised in Lowden and lived there most of her life. After graduation she attended Cedar Rapids Business College.

On May 13, 1961 she married her soulmate, Jim Kruckenberg. They were a close and loving couple, blessed by three children: Kristen (deceased), and Scott and Mindy.

Sharon was employed by Traveler’s Insurance and Garfield School in Cedar Rapids, but in 1965 she and Jim moved back to Lowden. They farmed together until 1974, when she started working at Calamus-Wheatland Schools. She was a beloved secretary who truly enjoyed working with students until she retired in 2005.

Zion United Church of Christ was a cornerstone of Sharon’s life; she was baptized, confirmed and married there. She attended and sang in the choir for years. Sharon enjoyed reading, dancing, gardening, spending time with friends, and was an avid walker. She enjoyed life, smiling and laughing often.

Above all else, Sharon loved her family and lit up when spending time with them. She was a dedicated and proud mom, grandma and great grandma.

Left to cherish Sharon’s memory are her son Scott (Jody) Kruckenberg, daughter Mindy Kruckenberg, grandson Nate (Jackie) Eckhardt and their children Gianna “Gigi” and Nate Jr, and grandson Nic Eckhardt, all of Cedar Rapids. She is also survived by her sister Kay Fischer of Peoria, Illinois, as well as many nieces and nephews.

The love of Sharon’s life, Jim Kruckenberg, passed away in 2015 after 54 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by infant daughter Kristen, her parents Walter and Lillian Brendes, her brother Kenneth Brendes, and her great granddaughter Mia Eckhardt.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family, The Arc of East Central Iowa or Zion United Church of Christ.