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Sharon K. McGowan • 1940 - 2011
 Sharon K. McGowan, 70, Minot, passed away Sunday, January 23, 2011 at Triumph Medical Center in Mandan, ND, with her loving family by her side.
Sharon Wilhelm was born March 27, 1940 in Bismarck, ND, to Donald and Verna (McInnis) Wilhelm. She was raised in Minot along with her two brothers, Timothy and David, and graduated from Minot High School in 1958. She attended a business college in Fargo for a time, but chose to return to Minot to follow a more fulfilling path.
On August 16, 1959, Sharon married her soul mate and the love of her life, Donald McGowan, at First Presbyterian Church in Minot. The arrival of their two children, Melissa and Scott, completed their very close-knit family. The addition of her three granddaughters brought her immeasurable pride and joy.
Sharon worked at several different jobs in Minot before becoming a Certified Tax Preparer and Office Manager at H&R Block and later, with Aggregate in Minot. She truly enjoyed her work and brilliantly navigated the ever-changing tax laws, but most importantly, she loved working with people and genuinely cared about her co-workers and clientele.
There was nothing Sharon loved more than spending time with her family. There were the Friday night whist games with her parents, as she and Donald fought for weekly possession of the traveling trophy; numerous board games with her kids; long car trips to South Carolina or the Black Hills to visit family; camping and fishing with her husband; and attending her grandchildren’s numerous programs, plays and recitals. Several years ago, Donald and Sharon went on a tour of Europe, which was a dream come true for her and a source of some of their fondest memories.
Second only to her passion for her family was Sharon’s passion for her flowers. She and Donald worked side by side to create a beautiful backyard garden oasis that brought her so much happiness every spring and summer.
These last few years, Sharon joined a local Bridge Club and loved playing Duplicate Bridge. She relished the challenge of the game, but it was the friends she made there that she loved most.
Sharon was a good friend and confidant. She was fiercely devoted to her family and was a wellspring of love, good humor, compassion, strength and character for all of us. There was no better wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter or friend than Sharon and we will miss her each and every day.
Those who shared in her life, loving husband of over 51 years, Donald, Minot; daughter, Melissa (Jeff) Bliss, Minot, and their daughters, Erin and Brenna; son, Scott McGowan, Bismarck, and his daughter, Sydney; brothers, Timothy Wilhelm, Minot, and David (Julie) Wilhelm, Maple Grove, MN; sisters-in-law, Cindy Wilhelm, Minot, Janett Nash, Union, SC and Barbara Ward of Florida; numerous nieces and nephews.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorial service: Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Augustana Lutheran Church, Minot, ND.
Visitation: There will be no reviewal, but friends may sign the register Saturday one hour prior to the service in the church.
Officiant:
Pastor Michon Weingartner
Music
Prelude CD, “I Will Remember You” by Sara McLachlan
Opening hymn, “Just As I Am” #592
CD, “In the Arms of An Angel” by Sara McLachlan
Solo, “Amazing Grace” by Kari Andersen
Closing hymn, “How Great Thou Art” #856
Rev. Luther Hanson, organist
Following the service everyone is invited to join the family for lunch and fellowship in the lower level of the church.
Our family would like to thank everyone for the many acts of kindness shown during this difficult time. Your thoughts and prayers are deeply appreciated. May God bless the memory of Sharon McGowan!
To sign the online guest
register for Sharon
To view the online guest register for Sharon
To view the inside of Sharon's folder
To view the outside of Sharon's folder
To view the insert to Sharon's folder
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