Sharon Johnson-Ratz

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved mother, grandma, wife, sister, and friend. Sharon Louise Gorshe transitioned from this earth gently and peacefully on November 19th, 2025. She was held and surrounded by her daughter Julie, granddaughter Jaiden, husband Ron, and Pastor Dan. Sharon was born on December 18th, 1944, in Pueblo, Colorado, to Jennie Prince and Frank Joseph Gorshe. She graduated from Central High in 1962 and pursued a vocational certificate in computer operations. Soon after, she departed Pueblo for adventures in sunny California. Her warm spirit and infectious laugh immediately drew a tribe of like-minded women, including Joan Lobdell, Pat Kitchura, Dawn Riker, and Mary Henley. In 1971, Sharon gave birth to her only child, a girl born with a full head of red hair. She remained amazed about that her entire life. With fierce devotion, she raised this daughter on her own from day one and always did the best she could, often in very difficult circumstances. A true fearless trailblazer. In 1976, she accepted a job at Mohave Electric Company, where she worked for many decades until retirement. In 2000, she met the love of her life, Ron Ratz. That’s when the real fun began! They traveled the country in their fifth-wheel with a convoy of friends and multi-terrain vehicles, often staying up until late at night laughing and playing games. If I listen real hard, I can still hear the echoes of BINGO and BUNCO! Ron and Sharon were also very active members of the Colorado River Corvette Club and the River Cruisers. Later in life, Sharon found salvation and unconditional acceptance at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. For the first time, she started seriously studying the Bible, devouring scriptures, and faithfully attending Bible study two days a week. She even helped Sue teach at the Bible lesson station during vacation bible school. Mom was humble and not much for being in the public eye, so this was out of her comfort zone. Afterwards, she was quoted as saying, “I was dreading this, but I was blessed by doing it.” She was a voracious learner, and I would often find her sitting alone with an open Bible, writing down questions and trying her very best to understand the teachings of Jesus Christ. I couldn’t possibly list all of her friends, as there were so many, including Belinda, Jamie, Linda, Lou, Margaret, Nancy, Sue, Suzette, and Velma. Please forgive any unintentional omissions. Visiting the “way-back machine," we find Robbie Adams, Joy Sharp, Sue Smith, Cece and Bob Rogge, Gail and Larue Davis, Darlene Brunner, Sandy Crippen, and the old-time crew at MEC. Sharon leaves behind her beloved husband, Ron Ratz, along with his ever-growing, beautiful family, whom she loved deeply. In addition, her grandchildren Jaiden and Rio Wolfman, whom she could never get enough of, along with her daughter Julie Gorshe and son-in-law Steve Wolfman. Last but not least, her hilarious, eccentric, creative brother, Joseph Gorshe, AKA Joze The Bojon. She is preceded in death by her nephew, Michael Gorshe, and parents, Jennie Prince and Frank Joseph Gorshe. Private graveside burial will be at Roselawn Cemetery in Pueblo, Colorado. Funeral services will be held at 10am Saturday, December 20th, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bullhead City, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to a children's charity of your choice, or to St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church (1664 Central Ave, Bullhead City, AZ 86442). And just for fun, play no more than $20 on a video poker machine and dedicate all your winnings to Sharon! Hold your loved ones tightly, say everything you want to say today, and don't let one day go by without expanding love and compassion. Laugh loud and often.

Sharon Johnson-Ratz

December 18, 1944 - November 19, 2025