Sharon Lee “Sherry” Johnson
April 30, 1948-June 28, 2025
With profound sadness, we say goodbye to our beloved sister, aunt, and friend Sharon “Sherry” Lorentzen Johnson. Sherry was born in Eureka, CA, April 30, 1948 to Claire (Bagley) Lorentzen and Arthur Lorentzen. Sherry spent her childhood in Arcata, CA, the third of five siblings. Sherry cherished spending time learning how to sew with her Grandma Lorentzen and garden with Grandpa Lorentzen, practices that she would continue throughout her life. Sherry grew up with her brothers and sisters, Arthur Jr., Sandra, Betty, and George, living in the same 2-bedroom house through her graduation from Arcata High School.
Sherry met the love of her life, Charles “Tim” Johnson, while working at Golden West Glass in 1973. They encouraged her sister Betty and her husband, Roger, to move to Santa Rosa, where Roger and Tim worked together. Knowing Sherry, her real motive was likely to be closer to “my boy,” her beloved nephew, Kenneth.
Sherry and Tim married in 1976, and were happily married for 16 years. They loved and spoiled their 10 nephews and nieces, Dina, Brian, David, Tiffany, Kenneth, Kelli, Kurtis, Sara, Libby, and Marcy. They enjoyed camping trips, family vacations, card nights, raucous holidays, and time spent laughing and making memories with their loved ones. Sherry was renowned for her famous holiday cookies, planned and baked over the course of months and beautifully presented in her signature cookie boxes. No Christmas season would be complete without her homemade kahlua and beef jerky, the most revered gift for any Lorentzen family member, along with homemade ornaments and crafts made with Sherry’s signature perfectionism.
Sherry and Tim moved on to share adventures in Sacramento, Oregon, and finally Reno, Nevada. Sherry worked at the Reno Hilton and Tim worked as a cook. When Tim suddenly passed away in July 1992, Sherry continued to live in Reno, where she had a strong network of close friends. Sherry enjoyed a good meal, a comfortable seat at a video poker machine, spoiling her fur babies, and hosting her family for visits. Sherry found her calling working for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, where she worked for over a decade coordinating wish grants. Her position perfectly utilized her attention to detail, advocacy, and empathy to improve the lives of children and families in Northern Nevada. She was passionate about her work, and would share in detail about the lives of her “wish families.” Sherry, above all else, loved family, and that title extended beyond bloodlines.
Sherry returned to work at the Reno Hilton (GSR) before retiring and moving back to Santa Rosa to live with Betty. In addition to crafting and gardening, Sherry became involved with genealogy. Sherry worked diligently to trace the family lineage to the 1500s. Sherry also found deep meaning and satisfaction as an active member of First United Methodist Church. She enjoyed the fellowship shared with fellow congregants and sharing her homemade zucchini bread, cookies, and treats with her friends. Sherry also enjoyed Bunco nights, playing cards (even if she was a chronically sore loser), and traveling with her sisters to Washington, D.C., Hawaii, and Arizona, where they spent springs and autumns. Sherry was a die-hard fan of the San Francisco Giants and the Golden State Warriors. Her teams brought her so much joy when they played well and “torture” when they didn’t. Watching a game with Sherry was not a quiet affair: Loud gasps at gaffes and cheers for successes filled the room. A more loyal fan could not be found.
Sherry is deeply loved and will be missed. She is preceded in death by her parents, Claire and Arthur, her husband, Tim, and her nephew, Kenneth. Our family is grateful for the care Sherry received from Anchor Hospice and Betsy’s Care Home in Santa Rosa. She will be deeply missed.
Friends are invited to a memorial service on Friday, July 18 at 11:00 a.m. at Santa Rosa First United Methodist Church, 1551 Montgomery Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95405
