Sharon (Meyerhofer) Frichtl was born in the historic Brown House during its days as the Stayton Hospital to Hubert and Mary Meyerhofer on Sept. 2, 1937. She was the only daughter in a family that included three sons. She passed away suddenly in her Sublimity home July 6, 2017. She was 79.
During high school Sharon participated in drama, and her love of singing continued throughout her life. She graduated from St. Boniface in 1955.
Sharon married Jim Frichtl on Oct. 12, 1957, and together they raised their son Aaron. She started her career working for the State of Oregon before moving on to Bishop’s Clothing Store in Salem. Sharon later worked as a teller for First National Bank and then for Home Federal Savings, both in Stayton.
Impressed by her customer service, Frank Crow, then owner and publisher of The Stayton Mail, asked her to come work at the paper. She began a career in newspaper advertising that would span five decades and bring her into contact with almost every business and generations of business owners in the Stayton, Sublimity, Aumsville and Santiam Canyon region.
Eventually The Stayton Mail was sold to the Statesman Journal and Gannett Newspapers and after several years Sharon decided to retire. She left Gannett in 2004. Then she put her indefatigable energy into a new community newspaper. That October the Santiam edition of Our Town began serving the advertisers and community to which she was so devoted.
“Without Sharon there would have been no Our Town,” Publisher Paula Mabry said.
As one of the co-founders and co-owners Sharon provided a sense of fun and focus right up to her retirement in December 2015. She cared about her clients and it showed.
Sharon enjoyed shopping and gardening and it was reflected in her sharp style and manicured yard. She also was an excellent cook and her potluck contributions were legendary.
Sharon was a fun-loving person. Many a friend and acquaintance has a favorite “Sharon story.” She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by many.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Ted and Andrew. She is survived by her husband of almost 60 years, Jim, her son Aaron, daughter-in-law Deonna, grandson Zalen, and her brother David.
A Celebration of Life was held July 23 at the Stayton Seventh-day Adventist Church. Arrangements were entrusted to Weddle Funeral Services. Online condolences can be shared at Weddle-Funeral.com.
“I first met Sharon nearly ten years ago during my interview for a graphic design position at Our Town. For several years, before my colleague Dan Thorp took over, I spent at least one day of the week in Stayton, holding down the fort in the “print shop” while Sharon went out performing her dedicated work. She would bounce back through the big glass door wearing her Audrey Hepburn-style sunglasses and launch the most buoyant “Hi!” my way. After the day’s business was winding down, we would have long talks about work, life, and the community. Despite our different ages, she always treated me as a peer. I will never forget her fun side, her generosity, and the trust she gave me in my early professional career. Thank you, Sharon.”
– Tavis Bettoli-Lotten
