Sharlene Louise "Shar" (Fleming) Lamberty, 90, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 3, 2026

Visitation will begin at 5:00 pm, followed by a Prayer Service and Rosary at 6:00 pm on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at Miller Funeral Home (Downtown Location) 507 S. Main Ave., Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral Mass will be the following morning at The Church of St. Mary, 2109 S. 5th Ave, Sioux Falls, SD at 11:00 am on Friday, June 19, 2026. Final place of rest is St. Michael Cemetery, 3001 N. Cliff Ave., Sioux Falls, SD.

She was born February 17, 1936, in Sioux Falls, to Joseph W and Norma (Ingalls) Fleming, who raised a large family in the Cathedral area of the city. Shar was the oldest daughter of eight children.

Her parents, brothers Joe, Jim, Ron, Jerry, Pat, and sister Kate preceded her in death, and she is survived by her brother Michael (Ginger) Fleming, of Scottsdale, AZ.

Shar graduated from Cathedral High School and earned a Nursing Degree from Presentation College in Aberdeen.She met Ronald L. "Rick" Lamberty at a dance in Dell Rapids, who subsequently told her date he could leave, as Rick would be giving Shar a ride home. On August 23, 1958, Ron and Shar were married at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Sioux Falls.

Together they built a home filled with chaos, faith, love and laughter, raising seven children who all survive her: Kelli Lamberty of Madison, WI, Ron (Lori) Lamberty of Sioux Falls, SD, Greg (Laurie) Lamberty of St. Paul, MN, Kerri (Don Bosch) Lamberty of Shell Lake, WI, Todd Lamberty of Sioux Falls, SD, Chris (Katharine Clark) Lamberty of Evansville, WI, and Steve (Nicole) Lamberty of Brandon, SD. She was also loving grandmother to 15 grandchildren who called her Gunga or Shar-baby, and 3 great-grandchildren.

Shar also loved and was beloved by the friends of her children, who tended to end up at the Lambertys' large house on 20th and Phillips, playing basketball as children, and after nights out on the town as young adults. Shar often fielded calls from parents who wanted to make sure their kids were safe and knew the Lamberty home was a likely landing space, close to popular watering holes, and with doors that were never locked.

In addition of trying to manage, counsel, and comfort her own brood of active and boisterous children, caring for teenagers and young adults was also Shar's career. She enjoyed working as a night nurse on the psychiatric floor at McKennan Hospital, often telling her kids the job was easy because they and their friends prepared her for it. And anyone who ever shared their troubles with Shar felt her gentle pat on the arm, and heard her say "Oh, honey…" knows how much Shar probably helped so many of the people she worked with.

Shar's own self control, however was often challenged by her love of sports. She was a tennis player in high school and since she learned to play against her brothers, she played an aggressive serve and volley style not often seen in women's tennis in her day. She wasn't a singles champion in tournaments she would inevitably face "one of those girls who hits lobs and giggles" (her most polite description), and melt down. She exacted her revenge, however, winning several titles playing mixed doubles, which was perfect for her net game and powerful serves, playing against boys and those same girls who had no counter to the strength and fast pace of that game. Even as an out of shape middle aged mother of seven, Shar taught her kids how to play tennis by beating them badly at the McKennan Park tennis courts while barefoot and wearing a muumuu. Except for Greg, who wanted it noted that in his teens, he usually beat her. Soundly, he said.

Like her husband, she loved watching her children and grandchildren play sports, and was especially well known for calling penalties from the stands at O'Gorman football games. She had the rare distinction of being called for a technical foul at a basketball game and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty at a Junior football game, both as a fan. Shar's acceptance of Rick's marriage proposal was contingent on his promise of undying love for the Green Bay Packers, a love that grew stronger after attending games at County Stadium when the family lived in Milwaukee in the early 60's. Unlike her husband who was irritated by Viking fans when they moved back to South Dakota, Shar simply felt pity for those people as supporters of such a sad, inept team.

Shar was also a fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and a devout Catholic and like her own education, her children all attended catholic schools and graduated from O'Gorman High School.

With the exception of apple bars, bologna salad, anything with the word "Helper" in the title, and pre-game lasagna Shar was not considered a great cook. Also despite her ability to pick up dirty clothes with her feet and wash countless loads of laundry, she was not known for her housekeeping, but her understanding, care, irrational support, overestimation of sports abilities and height, and unconditional love for her kids made her the best Mom any child could have. While we already miss her and have been saying goodbye to her for some time, we are happy she is finally able to rest in peace.