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- [S927] Obituary.
harleen (Shari) Marie (Ketterling) Archer was born in Nampa, Idaho, on February 24, 1951. She was the first child of Herbert and Shirley (Campbell) Ketterling. She passed away with her family by her side on March 13, 2017, at the age of 66.
Shari's father (Herb) was a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene. Following his graduation from Northwest Nazarene University the family moved to Hillsboro, ND, where Herb assumed the responsibility as pastor of the local Nazarene Church. The family would later relocate to Ellendale, ND, and Litchfield, MN. Along the journey Shari was joined by three siblings—Dave, Kathy and Jay.
Upon her graduation from high school in 1969, Shari moved to Olathe, KS, to begin her university career in Elementary Education.
1973 was a year of significant changes in Shari's life. In May she graduated with high honors from MANU with a B.S. degree in elementary education. In June she was offered a contract to teach third grade at Sinai-Timmons elementary school near Bonner Springs, KS. With both fathers officiating, Shari was joined in marriage to Royal Archer on August 3, 1973, at the Church of the Nazarene in Litchfield, MN.
Following the long tradition of their families, Shari's husband Royal became a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene. On September 23, 1979, Shari and Royal welcomed a son Royal II. With the new addition of their first child the family made their way to Arlington, TX, where Royal was a youth minister. While in Arlington, on November 09, 1981, they rejoiced in the arrival of their daughter, Amber. Subsequent pastoral assignments included Carthage, SD, Larimore, ND, Aberdeen, SD, Geddes, SD, and Gregory, SD.
In 1985 Shari was "officially" diagnosed with M.S. While the illness was a contributing factor in her life, it was not the determining factor. Despite the continuing loss of her physical abilities, Shari maintained her remarkable and beautiful outlook on life. Shari's love of God and others illuminated even the darkest of days. She resolutely lived so that what you remembered most about her was not the disease, but the presence of Christ living through her.
While it is impossible to list the many things that brought joy to Shari, a small sampling included extensive traveling which often involved numerous unanticipated and unplanned adventures, car rides on country roads, going out to eat, CHOCOLATE and attending events where she could spend time with the church family she so loved, especially the children.
Shari's life was enriched through the many special people she encountered along the way. Words will never be adequate to express the gratitude she felt for the innumerable medical professionals (doctors, nurses, technicians, and CNA's) along with maintenance, laundry, janitorial and kitchen staff who so diligently and compassionately attended to her ever changing and ever increasing needs. Neither are there words to express Shari's gratitude for the church family who for over three decades held her in their hearts as they loved, encouraged, and supported her through some very dark days.
Shari deeply loved her family and cherished the love they returned. She is survived by her husband Royal; children Royal II (Ayla) Archer and Amber (Justin) Carroll; grandchildren Kenna Archer, Liam Archer and Stetson Carroll; brothers Dave (Veronica) Ketterling, Jay (Dana) Ketterling and sister Kathy (Steve) Bisig and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents and father-in-law Roy Archer.
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