Camp Courageous is deeply saddened by the passing of Sharon Roller, 70, of Monticello, IA.  Sharon was Camp Courageous’ longest serving Nursing Director,  going back to 1979, when Sharon was a PRN (as need arises) at Camp Courageous. At the same time she was working full time as a nurse at John McDonald Hospital, in Monticello, eventually becoming the Nursing Director.  As John McDonald Hospital merged with Anamosa Hospital, Sharon headed to Four Oaks in Cedar Rapids to meet their nursing needs.  Sharon signed on with Camp Courageous as its full-time, year-round Nursing Director on October 12, 1992, and retired on December 31, 2020, after experiencing the world had experienced a year of COVID.  Sharon served the Camp Courageous Campers and Staff for nearly 30-years!

Upon Arriving at Camp Courageous, Sharon implemented her knowledge that she learned in various health care settings to Camp’s Nursing Department. Sharon completed her Registered Nursing Degree at Kirkwood Community College in 1978 followed by the completion of her Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Dubuque in 1983, with the title of Sharon Roller RN, BSN. Over the years Sharon taught thousands of students CPR, Med-Manager, Baby Sitting Class, First Aid, AED, and so much more.

Throughout the years, when Sharon wasn’t at Camp caring for campers, she spent her time utilizing her nursing background helping various organizations within our community. These organizations included but were not limited to: American Cancer Society, Great Jones County Fair First Aid Station, ARC/AHA First-Aid Instructor as well as being a part-time instructor for Kirkwood Community College.

During her time at Camp, Sharon made connections with campers and staff alike. She was one of the first faces campers saw at Camp for their physical on check-in day and the one of the last faces when checking out at the end of the Camp week. Sharon graciously greeted everyone that came into the nursing area with a smile. If one was ever in need of chocolate or a hot pot of coffee Sharon was the go-to person.  She said that hospitality came from her German heritage.  Sharon was Camp’s #1 Woo Factor!   Sharon set a standard in excellence, that was exceptional.  Camp will be forever striving to reach the standards she set.

With Camp being a big part of Sharon’s life, her family also became very involved. Over the years, her family members volunteered their time with various tasks from assisting with health screenings of Campers (Daughter-Christine) to picking up donations and aiding with Camp fundraisers (Husband Ed and Son Charlie).

Sharon’s patience and kind demeanor will be greatly missed at Camp, by campers, staff, and all those she came in contact. Camp heartfelt sympathy goes out to her husband, Ed, children Christine and Charlie and her mother, Pauline Antons, along with other family, friends, and her precious grandchildren.  The past few years found Sharon battling incredible odds…but her love for life, and particularly her love for her family, gave her the greatest reason to keep on fighting.  Now, may she rest in peace…