Sharon Dorothy (Rodey) Abbate

Sharon Dorothy (Rodey) Abbate (1946–2026)

Sharon Dorothy (Rodey) Abbate, 79, passed away June 30th, 2026, after a battle with Parkinson’s. She was the beloved wife of Samuel Clifford “Cliff” Abbate. Born Sept. 3, 1946, in Cedar Falls to Louis and Eleanor Rodey, Sharon overcame childhood rheumatic fever, worked as a lifeguard, and married Cliff on Sept. 3, 1966. They lived in Texas during Cliff's Navy service, then Strum, WI, where Sharon delivered the Leader-Telegram.

They served with YWAM Lakeside Montana, teaching English in Taiwan and the Philippines, before joining the staff at YWAM Eden in Weyerhaeuser, where Sharon became kitchen manager. They returned to Menomonie to care for her parents, where she ran the Rose of Sharon Christian Bookstore and hosted international students.

They spent their golden years at On Top of the World in Ocala, FL, enjoying tennis, dancing, cards, and clock repairs. Sharon was a devoted mother who taught her five children faith, life skills, sports, and a love for ice cream.

Preceded in death by her parents and brother Ronald.

Survived by husband Cliff; children Carla (Todd) Joseph, Ruth (Rick) Schlachter, Mark, Sam (Jenny), and Luke; and eight grandchildren.

Viewing at 10:00 AM followed by a 11:00 AM Celebration of Life on July 7th, 2026 at Olson Funeral Home, Menomonie with David Holmbeck officiating.

Memorials to Compassion International or YWAM.

To share a memory, please visit www.olsonfuneral.com