Sharon Kay Latcham, age 72, of Washington, Iowa, died Saturday, February 5, 2011 at the University of Iowa Hospitals after failing in health for the past month.

Celebration of life services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 9th at the Jones Eden Funeral Home with Pastor Darryl Carr officiating. Visitation will begin noon Tuesday at the Jones Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 Tuesday evening. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Memorials have been established for the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association. Online condolences may be sent for Sharon's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Sharon was born September 24, 1938, in Washington, Iowa the daughter of Fredrick Eugene and Fern Alzina (Hysell) Kimmel. She attended school in Washington, Iowa. Sharon was married to Paul Dickerson and was later united in marriage to Ward R. Latcham on April 3, 1971 in Washington, Iowa.

Sharon provided day care in her home for many years. Family was Sharon's focus in life and she took great pleasure in her children and grandchildren's many activities. She loved sports, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes. Sharon enjoyed crafts, ceramics and working with flowers.

She is survived by seven children including daughter Jacque Johnson and husband Jerry of Washington, Iowa; daughter Tammy Calhoun and husband Ed of Washington, Iowa; son Mike Dickerson and wife Julie of Tiffin, Iowa; son Brian Dickerson and wife Joyce of Washington, Iowa; son Larry Dickerson and wife Kim of Ainsworth, Iowa; son Robert Latcham and wife Jodi of Washington, Iowa; daughter Kim Latcham and special friend Dennis Draper of Washington, Iowa; 27 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Fred Kimmel and wife JoAnn of Des Moines, Iowa; sister Shirley Charbonneau of Washington, Iowa; sister Debby Watson of Muscatine, Iowa; step sister Rhonda Pickering of Winfield, Iowa; step brother Fred Kimmel and wife of Yvonne of Washington, Iowa; step brother Tim Kimmel and wife Jenny of Altoona, Iowa as well as many nieces and nephews.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ward in 2002, an infant sister, Linda; and a great granddaughter Makayla.

The family would like to thank the great care given to Sharon by the nursing staff of Mercy Hospital, the University of Iowa Hospitals and a special thanks to Dr. Paul Towner and Connie Coker.