Sharon Kay Eshelman, 77, of Olathe, Colorado, passed away on May 20, 2026, after a courageous battle with colon cancer. Born on January 25, 1949, in Denver, Colorado, Sharon lived a life defined by her unwavering dedication to others, her pursuit of excellence, and her deep and abiding faith.

Sharon demonstrated exceptional academic commitment from an early age, maintaining a 4.0 grade point average throughout high school and college. She graduated from the Presbyterian School of Nursing on January 12, 1979, earning her credential as a Registered Nurse and embarking on what would become a remarkable fifty-year career in healthcare. Driven to continue her education, she attended Regis University in Denver, Colorado, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing on December 14, 1996. In recognition of her outstanding academic achievement, she was selected as a Senior Marshal for the 1996 Winter Commencement Ceremony.

Sharon's nursing career was distinguished by her specialization in the operating room, where she served first as a Surgery Technician before rising to the role of Operating Room Director, a position she held for more than thirty years. Her leadership shaped surgical departments across western Colorado, including Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs and hospitals in Rifle, Montrose, and Delta. Beyond her hospital work, she served her broader community as a nurse aboard a community health bus, bringing care directly to those in need.

Sharon was a woman who consistently put others before herself, whether that meant taking call, covering shifts so colleagues could spend time with their families, or quietly ensuring that every responsibility at home was met. Her kindness and selflessness touched everyone who knew her.

Outside of her career, Sharon embraced life with curiosity and enthusiasm. She was an avid quilter, a dedicated reader, and a skilled markswoman who enjoyed shooting. She loved to travel and was a true adventurer, willing to try anything once. Her passion for family genealogy led her to serve as Treasurer of the Montrose Genealogy Society. She was also an active member of Eastern Star Chapter No. 40, carrying forward a family tradition established by Sharons Grandfather Limon Platt and Mother Ivy Holmes, who were involved in the Masonic and Eastern Star organizations during their lives. This fueled Sharons curiosity in Eastern Star and helped her make the decision to join Eastern Star.

Sharon's faith was the cornerstone of her life. She grew up in the church, where her Grandfather Limon served as a pastor at the Friends Church in Paonia, and Dear Trail, Colorado. Sharon made her own personal declaration of faith when she was baptized on August 12, 2004, at Faith Fellowship Church in Rifle, Colorado. She was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church and a dedicated student of Scripture, beginning each morning in study of her Bible and deepening her understanding through study of the Torah. Her faith was not merely something she professed; it was something she lived in every act of service and compassion.

Sharon is survived by her loving husband, Gary Eshelman; her son, Corey Eshelman; and her brothers, Melvin Holmes and Gail Holmes.

Sharon was extremely devoted to God, to her fifty-year career in nursing, and to her family. In the words of Psalm 116, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants."

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at Delta Presbyterian Church, 135 East Fourth Street, Delta, Colorado 81416. A reception will follow at Westminster Hall, located next to the church. All who knew and loved Sharon are welcome to gather in her memory and give thanks for a life so generously lived.