- Born on: September 10, 1945
- Departed on: September 20, 2026
- Resided in: Lansing, IA
Sharon Ann Costello
Sharon Ann Costello, 81, passed away suddenly at her home on September 20, 2026.
Sharon married her soulmate, John “Twinny” Costello, on November 21, 1964. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised four children: Sue (Keith) Meyer of Eitzen, Minnesota; John (Kayla) Costello of Lansing, Iowa; Michelle (Joe Gillitzer) Kishman of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; and Tom Costello of Lansing, Iowa.
John and Sharon lived in Chicago, Illinois, for five years before moving to Lansing, Iowa, in 1969, where they made their home and raised their family.
Sharon worked as a supervisor at Thornton Manor Nursing Home in Lansing for more than 30 years. She was active in the Women’s Auxiliary and devoted much of her time to church activities and her community.
Sharon knew how to enjoy life. She loved Tuesday night bingo, playing bridge with her girlfriends, and she never missed an opportunity to head to the casino when someone called. Little did anyone know, those casino trips were often referred to as “dress shopping” so no one would know where they were really going. If you ask the many friends who accompanied her, they might tell you the casino was rigged—because Sharon certainly did her fair share of winning!
Sharon was a wonderful and devoted wife, a terrific mother, and truly the glue that held her family together. She showed an incredible amount of love, affection, and care for her entire family. She never missed an opportunity to crack a joke or share a laugh, and some of her happiest moments were simply spent surrounded by the people she loved.
Sharon absolutely loved and adored her 13 grandchildren, and they adored her right back—although they may have a few stories to tell. When they were toddlers, Grandma Sharon loved convincing them to rub cucumber melon lotion on her feet. It is a childhood memory they will either cherish forever—or someday seek counseling for!
She was also blessed with 23 great-grandchildren, with another on the way, whom she was so excited to welcome into the family. Sharon’s face and her entire day would light up whenever one of her grandchildren or great-grandchildren came to visit. Nothing meant more to her than her family.
Sharon was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. She was an avid Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs fan, in large part because her husband John rooted for them, too. In recent years, she also became a devoted fan of Caitlin Clark and rarely missed an opportunity to watch her and the Indiana Fever play.
Sharon had a wonderful sense of humor and never missed an opportunity to laugh, have fun, or enjoy the people around her. She found her greatest happiness simply being with the family and friends she loved so dearly. Whether sharing a joke, lending a helping hand, or just enjoying time together, Sharon had a way of making those around her feel loved and cared for. Her kindness, humor, generosity, and unwavering devotion to her family and friends will be remembered and cherished forever.
Our family has been incredibly blessed to have Sharon in our lives for as long as we did. She will be dearly missed, but the memories she created, the family she loved so deeply, and the legacy she leaves behind will live on forever.
Sharon is survived by her four children; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way; and six siblings: Joe (Rita) Zeimet; Sue (Dave) Richards; Sandy Rethwisch; Sally (Mark “Soup”) Rethwisch; Jake Zeimet; and Jerry (Kim) Zeimet. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Barney and Dorothy Zeimet; her beloved husband, John B. “Twinny” Costello; John and Patricia Houlihan; her brother-in-law, Tom Rethwisch; and her nephews, Brian and Tom Houlihan.
A visitation will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026. Visitation will continue from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026, with a Mass at 10 a.m. followed by a Christian Burial.
The celebration of Sharon’s life will then continue at a local establishment, where family and friends are invited to gather, share stories, laugh, remember Sharon, and celebrate a life very well lived.
Sharon married her soulmate, John “Twinny” Costello, on November 21, 1964. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised four children: Sue (Keith) Meyer of Eitzen, Minnesota; John (Kayla) Costello of Lansing, Iowa; Michelle (Joe Gillitzer) Kishman of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; and Tom Costello of Lansing, Iowa.
John and Sharon lived in Chicago, Illinois, for five years before moving to Lansing, Iowa, in 1969, where they made their home and raised their family.
Sharon worked as a supervisor at Thornton Manor Nursing Home in Lansing for more than 30 years. She was active in the Women’s Auxiliary and devoted much of her time to church activities and her community.
Sharon knew how to enjoy life. She loved Tuesday night bingo, playing bridge with her girlfriends, and she never missed an opportunity to head to the casino when someone called. Little did anyone know, those casino trips were often referred to as “dress shopping” so no one would know where they were really going. If you ask the many friends who accompanied her, they might tell you the casino was rigged—because Sharon certainly did her fair share of winning!
Sharon was a wonderful and devoted wife, a terrific mother, and truly the glue that held her family together. She showed an incredible amount of love, affection, and care for her entire family. She never missed an opportunity to crack a joke or share a laugh, and some of her happiest moments were simply spent surrounded by the people she loved.
Sharon absolutely loved and adored her 13 grandchildren, and they adored her right back—although they may have a few stories to tell. When they were toddlers, Grandma Sharon loved convincing them to rub cucumber melon lotion on her feet. It is a childhood memory they will either cherish forever—or someday seek counseling for!
She was also blessed with 23 great-grandchildren, with another on the way, whom she was so excited to welcome into the family. Sharon’s face and her entire day would light up whenever one of her grandchildren or great-grandchildren came to visit. Nothing meant more to her than her family.
Sharon was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. She was an avid Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs fan, in large part because her husband John rooted for them, too. In recent years, she also became a devoted fan of Caitlin Clark and rarely missed an opportunity to watch her and the Indiana Fever play.
Sharon had a wonderful sense of humor and never missed an opportunity to laugh, have fun, or enjoy the people around her. She found her greatest happiness simply being with the family and friends she loved so dearly. Whether sharing a joke, lending a helping hand, or just enjoying time together, Sharon had a way of making those around her feel loved and cared for. Her kindness, humor, generosity, and unwavering devotion to her family and friends will be remembered and cherished forever.
Our family has been incredibly blessed to have Sharon in our lives for as long as we did. She will be dearly missed, but the memories she created, the family she loved so deeply, and the legacy she leaves behind will live on forever.
Sharon is survived by her four children; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way; and six siblings: Joe (Rita) Zeimet; Sue (Dave) Richards; Sandy Rethwisch; Sally (Mark “Soup”) Rethwisch; Jake Zeimet; and Jerry (Kim) Zeimet. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Barney and Dorothy Zeimet; her beloved husband, John B. “Twinny” Costello; John and Patricia Houlihan; her brother-in-law, Tom Rethwisch; and her nephews, Brian and Tom Houlihan.
A visitation will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026. Visitation will continue from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026, with a Mass at 10 a.m. followed by a Christian Burial.
The celebration of Sharon’s life will then continue at a local establishment, where family and friends are invited to gather, share stories, laugh, remember Sharon, and celebrate a life very well lived.
