Sherry Elam

Sherry Diane Elam, 65, of Mandan, went to be with her Lord and Savior on May 13th, 2020, at Sanford Hospital in Bismarck surrounded by her family. She was taken from this Earth unexpectedly and too soon. She was needed in Heaven to complete God’s work.

Sherry was a vibrant soul and  she will truly be missed by all.

A private family Mass with Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at the Church of St. Joseph, Mandan, ND with Rev. Josh Waltz as Officiant. Inurnment will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. A celebration of Sherry’s life will take place on a later date.  Live-Steaming of Sherry’s Mass with Christian Burial will be available right here on the website. (Please see the bottom of this  page.)

Sherry was born May 15th, 1954, in Redfield, South Dakota. The daughter of Gerard and Florence (Petersen) Sheldon. She attended Christ the King School and graduated from Mandan High School before moving to Minot to attend Nursing School. Taking care of others was Sherry’s true passion even in death. In Minot, she met the love of her life, a Tennessee boy stationed at Minot Air Force Base. Vernon Ralph Elam and Sherry Sheldon were married on August 2nd, 1977. Together they had two children, Amanda and Derek.

Sherry worked at Sanford Hospital for 38 years before retiring in 2018. She worked in various areas of the hospital including OB/GYN, Pediatrics, and Occupational Health before closing out her career at the Sanford South Clinic.

Upon retirement, Sherry enjoyed spending her winters at their home in Cape Coral, Florida. She loved the sun, boating, and gardening. Her admiration for her grandson, LeRoy Thomas III (LT), was second to none. She was his biggest cheerleader and could be found as a regular at the hockey rink cheering him on.

Sherry will be deeply missed and is survived by her husband Ralph; her children Amanda (LeRoy) Thomas and Derek Elam (Stephanie Rewald); her grandson, LT Thomas; her mother Florence (Petersen) Sheldon; siblings  Ann (Sheldon) Meidinger, Chris (Stan) Roth, Julie (Garry) Joersz; sister-in-law Vicki Sheldon and Tim (Denise) Sheldon along with her numerous nieces and nephews.

Sherry is proceeded in death by her father, Gerard (Jerry) Sheldon; and brother Joseph (Jody) Sheldon.