-- Published in The Alaska Dispatch News, 08/14/2016:

Another angel has been called home to heaven - Sharon Gudde was 73 at the time of her passing.

She began her life in Rapid City, S.D., where she lived for 20 years. She was born on March 15, 1943, to Frank "Red" and Ruth (Doyle) Pouder.

She spent the last 53 years of her life in Alaska.

While in South Dakota, she met and married Terry Clinton "Levi" Gudde in January 1962, and they had three children.

She followed Levi to Juneau, Alaska, in November 1963, where the family lived for a year. They moved the family to Fairbanks, Alaska, in 1964, where she lived for 35 years. She then moved to Anchorage, Alaska, to help care for her granddaughters when their mom got very sick.

Sharon passed away at home with family on July 27, 2016.

There will be no formal service but there will be a balloon releasing ceremony on Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, at 7 p.m. at Cuddy Family Park (midtown behind the Loussac Library), all are welcome to attend.

There will be a "Celebration of Life" one year after her passing. It will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2017. There will be more details throughout the year on her Facebook.

Sharon's greatest passions were her children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, friends, reading, learning, gardening and arts and crafts.

She was preceded in death by her father; mother; in-laws; and other relatives.

Sharon leaves behind her daughter, Cheryl (granddaughters, Kathryn and Samantha) of Alaska; sons, Shawn and Mike (Belle, granddaughter, Shannon; son in-law, Cody and new great-granddaughter, Laurel) all of Oklahoma; many dear friends from all over and those who called her Mom, Nana and Grandma.

She will be missed, she was a light in peoples lives. In lieu of flowers, condolences and memorial donations to help with cremation expenses would be appreciated. Sharon loved you all and will be waiting for you when you make your journey home. Until she sees you again.?

Arrangements by Legacy Funeral Homes.