Sharon Lee White

MADISON - Sharon Lee White, age 82, of Madison, passed away peacefully at home with family at her side on Friday, August 29, 2025, after a 42-year battle fighting autoimmune diseases Sjogren's Syndrome and Raynaud's Syndrome.

Sharon was born in Kenosha, WI on May 23, 1943, to Wesley and Jean (Morgan) Gitzlaff.  She spent her early years in Kenosha, West Allis, and Wisconsin Rapids, WI and Rockford, IL then moved to Naperville, IL in 1957. She graduated from Naperville Community High School (now known as Naperville Central High School) in 1961 and proudly graduated from Moser School of Business in 1963. She was married to Robert Daleiden from 1966 to 1982, and they had three daughters: Dena, Tammy and Jodie.  

On October 18, 1984, in Las Vegas, NV, Sharon married Richard “Dick” White, her forever love. They moved to Dallas, Texas in 1989 where they lived for 30 years actively volunteering in their church community, meeting wonderful friends, and experiencing all that Texas has to offer.  They ended their careers when they both retired from working for “Barbie” (Mattel) after a combined total of 34 years. The couple moved back to Wisconsin in 2018 after retiring to be closer to family.

Sharon enjoyed going to community festivals, listening to live music, and hosting family parties for all occasions. She also loved gardening, sewing, crafting, hummingbirds, day trips, trying different restaurants, and taking country drives to search for deer, llamas, alpacas and any other wildlife or farm animals that could be seen from the open road. She and Richard enjoyed traveling together. Their adventures included traveling to all 50 states, most of the Caribbean, London and Rome. Sharon enjoyed spending time with family, especially during frequent family gatherings that typically ended with brownies and ice cream. She taught her family the importance of spending time together and to always take time to enjoy the sweet things in life. Sharon had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren who meant the world to her.

Sharon is survived by her husband, Richard Dennis; three daughters, Dena Lee (Drew) Crook, Tammy Lee Ford and Jodie Lee Ryan (Jacques du Vair); six grandchildren, Colton Robert, Duncan Ward, Cameron Wesley, Danica Jean, Carter Thomas and Courtney Jean; brother, Keith Allan (Melody) Gitzlaff; and many loving nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends and neighbors.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Wesley Walter and Jean Lydia Gitzlaff; and her brother, Dean Wesley Gitzlaff.

The family would like to thank the amazing team from Agrace Hospice who treated Sharon with such wonderful care.

A funeral service will be held at MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5202 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, WI, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2025, with Pastor Dan O’Brien presiding. A visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. A luncheon will follow. The burial will be held at Highland Memory Gardens at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420