Sharon Renae Tolliver, 57, of Lexington, Nebraska, was called home by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to her eternal rest with Him in heaven on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at her home.

She was born on June 14, 1968, in Grafton, North Dakota, to Richard and Audrey (Forester) Lee. Sharon grew up in a rural farming community, and went to Dundee school in Rural Hoople, North Dakota through the 5th grade. After Dundee school closed, she began attending school in Edinburg, North Dakota, where she remained until she graduated from Edinburg High School. Sharon went on to attend Arizona State University, where she received her bachelor's degree in psychology. During her time at ASU, she began working at a home for troubled girls, while there she met the love of her life, Mike Tolliver. The couple were united in marriage on March 2, 1991, in Apache Junction, AZ. They were blessed with two children: Mikayla and Jared.

Sharon continued her education at the University of Phoenix, receiving her teaching degree and later acquiring her master's degree at Aspen University. She dedicated 8 years to teaching in Arizona until the Lord Jesus Christ stirred her heart, and He led the family to move to Hay Springs, Nebraska momentarily in 2006. In 2007, the family moved to Cody, Nebraska, where Sharon taught Jr High and High School social studies. In 2023, the couple made their home in Lexington, Nebraska, where Sharon continued her talents as an educator in Alternative Education, continuously working and finding ways in helping to motivate her students to succeed. In 2023, Sharon was selected as the American Legion Nebraska Middle School Teacher of the Year!

Sharon was incredibly dedicated to her work and loved being with her students. She understood the importance of how love, patience, kindness, and caring goes a long way in helping students achieve bigger and better things. When she wasn't focusing on her work, she loved to cook and try new recipes, as well as spending time with and focusing on her family. She adored her children and grandchildren, spending summers with them in North Dakota! Growing up on the farm Sharon developed a deep love for horses! She really enjoyed riding through the woods and fields that were abundant around home! In her younger years she was very active in 4H. She competed in several competitions, showings, and barrel racing with her favorite horse, Cinnamon.

Sharon was a Born Again Believer and was very strong in her faith! She put her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and asked Him to forgive her of her sins, to come into her life and be her Lord and personal Savior, and for the eternal life that He offers! Sharon committed her life to the Lord Jesus Christ! That decision Sharon made enabled her, by the strength & power of the Holy Spirit that lived within her, to live out an extraordinary life of faith, but also to fight a short, but courageous battle against cancer with dignity and strength at the end of her life! As the battle progressed Sharon never lost her smile, strength, or positive attitude because of her strong faith in Jesus! Part of her life of faith was prayer, and she was active in Mom's in Prayer for a decade!

Sharon had the spiritual gift of hospitality, and her life abounded with kindness! She had a beautiful, pleasant, and wonderful smile with a personality to match. It was welcoming and peaceful, and made you feel at ease no matter how bad of a day you were having!

Sharon was preceded in death by her father, Richard Lee; mother, Audrey Lee; grandmother, Sina Lee; and aunt, Rosemary "Rosey" Larson.

Those left to cherish her memory are her beloved husband, Michael Tolliver, Jr.; children, Jared Tolliver, Mikayla (Tolliver) Fry; son-in-law, Derek Fry; grandchildren, Clara Fry and Ainsley Fry; brother, Jody Lee; sister-in-law, Wanda Lee, as well as extended family and many friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, June 6, at 11:00 a.m. at the Berean Bible Church with Pastor Felix Zaldivar officiating.

A Celebration of Life Service will also be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Grace Free Lutheran Church in Edinburg, North Dakota, with Pastor Felix Zaldivar officiating.

She will be laid to rest at the Park Center Cemetery in Rural Hoople, North Dakota.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations be made to The Gideons International. To make a donation, please call: (615) 564-5277.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com