Sharon K Cota

Sharon Kathryn Cota, 78 of Clive, IA passed away at home on Monday, July 27, 2026. Her visitation will be from 5–7 PM July 29, 2026 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory in Urbandale, IA with a rosary at 7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 10:30 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church at 7075 Ashworth Rd, West Des Moines, IA and family will receive guests at a luncheon following. She will be laid to rest at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Mason City, alongside her husband, James Cota Jr. at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 31, 2026.

Sharon was born on March 2, 1948 in Des Moines, IA to John and Kathleen (McGraw) Folsom. She spent her childhood in Des Moines, IA and graduated from St. Joseph Academy. She married James Cota Jr. in 1968 and had 2 beautiful children, Keli (Cota) Hutchison and James Charles Cota III. She was employed as a secretary at St. Joseph Catholic School in Mason City, IA, later started Newman Catholic Day Care, and finished the last 20 plus years working for Principal Financial Group.

Sharon was preceded in death by her husband James, who died in 1992; her father, John Folsom, who died 2011; her mother, Kathleen Folsom, who died July 27, 2003; her sister, Colleen Christensen, who died in 2017; and her grandson, Jacob McGraw, who died in 2024.

Sharon is survived by her children, Keli (Mark) Hutchison of Clive and James (Tena) Cota of Clive; six grandchildren: Sydnie (Braiden) Cota of Manly, IA; Elizabeth (Kenny) Bell of Garner, IA; Hali (Tucker) Smith of Waukee; Dakota (Allison) Hutchison of Windsor Heights; Max Hutchison of Clive; and Parker Cota of Windsor Heights. Six great-grandchildren: Cameron Wagler, Gabriel Rankin, Jameson Rankin, Rilynn Smith and Aurora Smith, and Jack Bell.

Sharon had great love for her pet dogs and had a generous and kind heart who will be loved and missed by all who knew her.