Sharon Friauf

Sharon Darlene Friauf, 76, of Safford, passed away peacefully at her home May 19, 2014. Sharon was born January 11, 1938 to Herbert Charles and Myrtle Jane Hable Enzenauer in Bird Island, Minnesota. She grew up on a farm with her five siblings. On November 2, 1957 Sharon married Walter Friauf in Fullerton, CA. Sharon and Walt started their family and careers in southern California. In the early 1970s they moved to Safford. Sharon and Walt shared a joy for the outdoors. Whether it was water skiing the Colorado River or hunting for elk on the Mogollon Rim, the Friauf family enjoyed many outdoor adventures. Sharon was an avid basketball fan and went to great lengths to follow her Phoenix Suns. This included driving to Phoenix to see games or driving up Mt. Graham to get better reception to listen on the radio. Sharon loved education and taught at Lafe Nelson and Dorothy Stinson Schools. She was the Elementary School Principal in Duncan, Arizona and the Superintendent of Schools for the Solomon and Young, Arizona School Districts. After Sharon retired from education in 1997, she spent time volunteering with various womens groups making quilts to donate to charity, gathering food for needy families at Thanksgiving and helping at church functions. Sharon was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Safford. She was also a volunteer with the Mt. Graham Hospital Auxiliary. Sharon had many hobbies including crochet, crossword puzzles, playing the piano and traveling. She was able to travel to Europe, Mexico and Prague, Czech Republic. She cruised the Caribbean and the Inland Passage to Alaska. In 2007 Sharon and Walt celebrated their 50th wedding Anniversary with family and friends that traveled from many parts of the country. Sharon is survived by her spouse of 57 years, Walt; children Darrell, Hillary (Robert) Budinoff and Gretchen (Ron) Jones; siblings Sandra Rasmussen and Jerry (Barbara) Enzenauer and grandchildren Brian and Nicholas Dong. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents Herbert Charles and Myrtle Jane Enzenauer and siblings Darrell Enzenauer, Jeannette Hall and Janice Howard. A Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 11am at the First United Methodist Church, Safford. The Ladies of the church will be providing a luncheon after the service in the church hall.