Sharon Lee (Snyder) Bengtsen, 80, of Pittsburg, died February 8, 2022 at Medicalodge South Nursing Home in Pittsburg. Born July 5, 1941 in Yankton, South Dakota, Sharon was the daughter of Earl F. Snyder and Vera (Vondracek) Snyder. She grew up enjoying the outdoor areas of the Black Hills in Hot Springs, S.D. She graduated from that high school in 1959. Sharon attended Yankton College (now disbanded) and Nettleton Commercial College in Sioux Falls, S.D. While at Yankton College she was the blind date at a church sponsored hayride where she met student Barry R. Bengtsen of Newark, New Jersey. They married October 14, 1962 in Yankton, S.D. Upon his graduation they moved to Lincoln, Neb. where he attended University of Nebraska majoring in Theater.
During her life Sharon worked at Lincoln Liberty Insurance Company in Lincoln, Neb. and Washington National Insurance Company in East Orange, NJ; both companies now merged into other establishments. After moving to Pittsburg (Harold Loy) where her husband taught in the Communications Department at PSU in the theatre discipline, she worked as secretary in various academic departments, Physics, Technology, and Art. She retired June 2005 after 28 years. She thoroughly enjoyed PSU environment, the faculty, students and wonderful staff making many friends (Beverly, Linda, Mary and Kaye Lynne). Sharon and Barry were blessed with and survived by two loving children; son Colin A. Bengtsen of Pittsburg and daughter Dana C. Malis MD of Overland Park; two grandchildren Owen M. and Audrey C. Malis and brother Dr. Darrell M. Snyder (Berylin), Palos Park, Ill.. Also included is the extended family of Barry, sister and brother in law, Karen and Donald DeGenaro of Eagan, MN and their children and grandchildren.
Sharon was preceded in death by Barry who died January 20, 2020, parents, parents in law, and son in law, Michael J. Malis, M.D. There was a life of constant activity: theater, sports games’ and traveling the coasts, deserts and Europe. She has been cremated. Arrangements are by the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home & Crematory, 522 S. Broadway in Pittsburg, KS. Condolences may be left at our web site www.bathnaylor.com