Sharon Stephanie Scharberg

“Where did she come from?  God gave her to me!”

My dad (I am Jean Voxland, Arlan’s daughter) laments these sentences today as he misses his wife Sharon, who passed away peacefully in her home in Hayfield, MN on Sunday January 15th, 2023.  I remember when my dad introduced me to Sharon Stephanie Olsen back in 1983.  Dad took Sharon, my brother William and myself to the old Met Stadium to watch the Twins play baseball.  My dad and Sharon were full of life, happiness and energy that day.  I hadn’t seen dad quite that happy for a while and I remember thinking, good for you dad.  Enjoy your time with a new friend.  That was the beginning of a sweet love and life, that is full of the normal ups and downs.  Gratitude to God (and Pastor Torrison) is how my father feels for the years, the love, the loyalty, and the poignant memories of a life well lived.

Sharon Stephanie Olsen was born to Sigurd and Mavis Olsen on July 17, 1944, in Portland North Dakota.  She was the oldest child and with her parents, welcomed into the family 2 younger brothers Steven and Timothy.  God gave Sharon to her parents, God gave Sharon to her brothers and God gave Sharon to her husband Arlan.

Some of my favorite conversations and memories I have of Sharon revolve around music.  Her love of the instruments she played, particularly the piano, all started when she was young.   Uncle Sidney played the role of music mentor to Sharon, who loved the clarinet, saxophone, piano, and organ.  I remember her playing the piano and I marveled at how lovely the notes flew from her fingers.

Have you ever had a teacher who you loved, or one who taught you something that stuck with you through the years?  Sharon loved teaching and used her teaching degree from North Dakota State University to become a 3rd grade teacher up in Cottage Grove at Neil Armstrong Elementary School. To this day she still is in contact with some of her students.

Sharon was married to Arlan Scharberg on November 28, 1987, at Evanger Lutheran Church in Sargeant MN.  They resided on the Scharberg farm in Hayfield MN and Sharon continued to teach in Cottage Grove until she retired in early 2000’s.

Evanger Lutheran Church benefitted from Sharon’s love of the church.  She enjoyed playing piano for services, playing piano duets with sister-in-law, Karen Vincent and helping out with youth activities.

After Sharon’s devoted 30 plus years of a teaching career, she retired and enjoyed seeing her parents in South Dakota regularly, liked her pet cats, spending time at Pequot Lakes with family, playing the piano, family gatherings of all kinds and reading paperback books.

Sharon is survived by her husband Arlan Scharberg, daughter Jean (Andrew) Voxland, son William Scharberg, brother Timothy (Bonnie) Olsen, sister-in-law Peggy Olsen, sister-in-law Karen (Joe) Vincent, grandchildren: Terra (Aaron) Haugen, Laura (Joe) Walter, Hanna Voxland, great-grandchildren: Audrey Haugen, Stella Haugen, Gretta Haugen, Jack Walter and Maggie Walter.  Sharon is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and extended family.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents Sigurd and Mavis Olsen, brother Steve Olsen, nephew Corey Olsen, and great niece Meghan McLain .

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Saturday January 21, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Hayfield MN.  Visitation will be the same day and place at 9:00am prior to the funeral.

God Bless her memory.