Sharon Diane Novotny (Stelter)

Sharon Diane Novotny (Stelter), 84, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully after her long fight with Alzheimer's disease, on December 29, 2024, at Woodside Lutheran Home in Green Bay, WI, with a compassionate and caring support staff and family by her side. Sharon was born on August 4, 1940, to Emil Stelter and Hannah Marie Backus in Benton Harbor, MI.

Sharon lived in Buchanan, Michigan where her father had a grocery store where she worked as a young adult.  She played several instruments including the accordion, clarinet and alto sax.  She also marched in the Buchanan High School marching band.  Sharon was a graduate of University of Michigan in 1961 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Medical Technology. That is where she met her husband Clarence who was completing his bachelors and masters degree. Sharon was a member of the Tri-Delt sorority.

After graduation she married her husband Clarence Novotny and moved to Philadelphia.  It was there that she became employed as a medical technologist at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital.  Her first son Derek was born in Philadelphia in 1964. After relocating to Traverse City, Michigan and eventually to White Earth, Minnesota, her second son Darryl arrived in 1966.  Becky, her third child was born in Green Bay, WIsconsin in 1968 followed by her last child Braden in 1970.

Sharon, Clare and their four children lived in Green Bay, Wisconsin for over 25 years.  Once the children went on to secondary schools (Derek - University of Wisconsin, Darryl - Arizona State University, Becky - Butler University and Braden - University of Minnesota and Rhode Island School of Design.  Sharon and Clare relocated to Carefree, Arizona and eventually to the mountains of Pine, Arizona where they lived until 2016 when Clare passed away.  Sharon was involved with raising her four children during the majority of her adult life.  She was a great mother and her husbands best friend and companion.  

Sharon was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Clarence George Novotny, MD, her brother John David Stelter, her sister Judith Stelter Bull, and her parents Emil and Hannah. Her memory will live on through her surviving family members, including her children Derek Novotny (Mary), Darryl Novotny (Angeline), Becky Baranowski (Gary), and Braden Novotny (Arlene); her grandchildren Jack Novotny, Isabel Novotny, Ian Novotny (Ellen), Conner Novotny (Alexis), Joshua Novotny, Drew Koenig, Hans Koenig, Bram Koenig, Ryan Baranowski (Jessica), Jasen Baranowski (Lindsey), Trina Baranowski, Roman Novotny, Linus Novotny, Elijah Novotny, Joseph Zemon, Mo Zemon, and Aiden Zemon; her great-grandchildren Bridget Novotny and Ivy Baranowski; her brothers James Stelter (Carol) and David Stelter (Lou Ann); as well as a host of extended family and friends who cherished her.

Throughout her life, Sharon exemplified kindness, resilience, and devotion to her loved ones. Her love of learning was evident as she instilled a strong sense of curiosity, creativity and lifelong learning in her children. She was known for her wonderful cooking and baking, which brought joy to many gatherings and family traditions. Her presence brought warmth and comfort to everyone fortunate enough to know her. Sharon’s legacy is a testament to the values she held dear: family, love, and the importance of living a life filled with compassion and grace.

Her passing leaves a void that cannot be filled, but her memory will be a guiding light for all who knew her. Services, including close family and friends, to celebrate Sharon’s life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute (University of Wisconsin) in Sharon’s memory. The family would like to thank Woodside Lutheran Home for their loving support and kindness for the last five years and Unity Hospice for their compassion and support in her final days.

May her soul rest in peace.