Sharon Kouri

Sharon Louise Kouri, 67, of Cumming, IA passed away Sunday, June 7, 2015 at St. Mary’s Hospital of the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, MN. Sharon succumbed to an extremely aggressive form of lung cancer diagnosed two weeks prior.

Sharon was born in Des Moines on November 25, 1947 to John and Phyllis (Jensen) Goeders. She grew up in Altoona and attended SE Polk High School where she was a band majorette. She attended Iowa State University in Ames and Southwest Community College in Creston ultimately achieving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Grandview University in 1990. At Grandview, she was chosen to serve on the Student Leadership Council and inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society. She was included in Who’s Who in American Colleges.

In 1981 she and her husband, Mike, opened their first McDonald’s restaurant in Creston later adding their Osceola location in 1985. Throughout their 31 years in business they were recognized by the McDonald’s Corporation as Distinguished Owner Operators.

As an accomplished mixed media artist, Sharon’s work has been displayed at a variety of gallery shows such as Bochner Gallery, Botanical Garden of Des Moines, Des Moines Art Show and the Iowa State Fair. Her commissioned works are included in private collections throughout the world. Friends will miss receiving her beautiful, personally designed Christmas cards.

Sharon was an active volunteer in each community in which she lived. She showed her passion for helping children by volunteering for The March of Dimes, International Food Festival at St. Malachy’s School, Arts Education for Des Moines Public Schools and as a Docent for the Des Moines Art Center.

Sharon was a vivacious person and lover of life. She was a world traveler who enjoyed great art museums, beaches, bistros and pubs. She loved to dance, socialize and bowl. She took every opportunity to have a good time. She considered Carmel by the Sea, CA to be her spiritual home.

Sharon’s aesthetic sensibility informed the very lens through which she viewed life. She found beauty everywhere: in art, nature, the deeply caring conversations for which she was renowned, her children, grandchildren, and family.

Those left to cherish Sharon’s memory include her husband of 48 years, Michael; three daughters, Rebecca (Peter) Stokes of London, England, Elizabeth (Adam) Jette of Pasadena, CA, and Gabrielle Kouri of Des Moines; four grandchildren, Savannah Pearl Kouri, Io Belle Jette, Abraham Oscar Jette and Amelia May Stokes; four siblings, Leslie Goodwin of Chesterfield, MO, Dennis (Patty) Goeders of Apple Valley, MN, Mary (Joe) Pane of Des Moines and Jon (Don) Goeders of Kirkwood, MO; and 25 nieces and nephews whom she loved very much.

Sharon will receive friends at Iles Funeral Homes – Grandview Park Chapel, 3211 Hubbell Avenue, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 11 beginning with a 4 p.m. Rosary. Following the visitation, a festive celebration of Sharon’s life will continue after 8 p.m. Thursday at the Royal Mile, 210 4th St., Des Moines. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 12 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3200 Easton Blvd., with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be at the Altoona Cemetery.

Sharon asked that, in lieu of flowers, financial gifts in her name be made to support student life and fine arts education at Grandview University c/o Grandview University Memorial Gardens, 1200 Grandview Ave. Des Moines, IA 50316.