Sharon Lee (Metter) Sowards, 80, passed away February 10, 2026 in Rapid City, South Dakota. She was born to LeRoy and Evelyn (Link) Atz on March 17, 1945 in Huron, South Dakota in a snowstorm. She grew up on a farm south of Huron and attended Cain Creek grade school until she graduated from 8th grade. She then attended Huron High School and graduated in 1963. She married Albert Jr Metter on August 3, 1963 and raised Alberts 4 sons, and Sharon and Albert had 2 girls Dawn and Teresa.

Sharon worked at several jobs in Huron. She worked at JC Penny, Buhl’s Laundry and Dry Cleaners and Innovative Plastics. She worked there until they closed the business. Al did custom farming with his brothers and Sharon would cook meals for at least 6 men during the summertime. She enjoyed cooking big meals for the family on Sundays.

Sharon was in St. George, UT for a time and moved back to Rapid City in 1977. She worked at Landstrom’s Black Hills Gold company, Rushmore Gold, SCI, Sewing Company and several other jobs in Rapid City until 2000, when she had to retire due to a car accident.

She loved to go to Deadwood and did win a few big jackpots. She also loved Westerns and rodeos, reading westerns and love stories.

She is preceded in death by her former spouses, Albert Jr Metter and Paul Sowards, mother and father, grandparents, son, Kevin, nephew Rick Link, sister Joy, and her brother-in-law, Ron Bullock.

She leaves behind 3 sons, Rick, Jim and Jerry, 2 daughters, Dawn (Spencer) and Teresa, and her brother, George (Katina) Atz, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, her niece, Kelsey (Jimmy Riley), friends, and her best friends, Lynn, Delores and Joyce.

Obituary available here (link)