Sharon M. Olson • 1937 - 2005

Sharon M. Olson, 68, Minot, died Saturday, February 19, 2005, at her home surrounded by her family.

Sharon Elaine Moffet was born February 5, 1937, in Springfield, IL, the daughter of Thomas McDonald and Emerald Blanche (Neher) Moffet. She was raised and educated there, graduating from Springfield High School in 1955. She attended MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL and later Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, VA, where she studied psychology. It was while in Virginia that she and several girlfriends spent an unforgettable summer on the Jersey Shore working on the boardwalk and living in a single garage. Later that year on a weekend excursion to West Point, NY, Sharon met a young cadet named Ronald Claude Olson. They were married 6 months later on July 26, 1958, in Richmond, IN

Sharon spent the next 21 years as a busy wife and mother as Ron's Army career took the family to various military posts at home and abroad, a total of 13 moves, which ended in 1979, when Ron retired and moved his family home to Minot, ND.

In 1981, they moved to Crosby, ND, when Ron became a partner in Northwest Farm Service. Having raised her three children, Sharon then returned to the workforce as an employee of Farmers State Bank, where she remained for the next 15 years. In 1997, Ron and Sharon returned to Minot to accept their most challenging and yet rewarding job of all, raising three more children - their beloved grandchildren.

Sharon was a member of Augustana Lutheran Church and active with various officers' clubs, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and many civic and other organizations. She was an avid reader and loved to collect and restore antiques, research her genealogy, knit and crochet. Most of all she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Ron died unexpectedly in September of 2002 and a few months later Sharon was diagnosed with cancer. She was grateful to have been able to remain in her home until her death. She will be dearly missed.

Survivors: daughters, Kerstin "Kristi" Sand and her husband Mylan, Laura Olson-Sinn and her husband Wolfgang, and Kecia Fagerland and her husband Bertrem, all of Minot; three grandchildren, Elizabeth "Betsy" Claire Sand, and Leah Katherine and Jack Henry Fagerland; brother, Joel Thomas Moffet, Richmond, IN; sister, Sheila M. Nieten and her husband Jerry, Noblesville, IN; mother-in-law, Marjorie A. Olson, Minot; brother-in-law, David Olson and his wife Misuk, Seoul, South Korea; sister-in-law, Sherill Fosland and her husband, John, Crosby, and several beloved nieces, nephews and friends also survive.

She was preceded in death by her husband, of 44 years Ronald and her parents, Thomas and Emerald Moffet.

Memorial Service: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 at 11 a.m. at Augustana Lutheran Church, Minot.

Friends may sign a register book Tuesday, February 22, 2005, from Noon until 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Private Internment will take place at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Correspondence may be mailed to: Kristi Sand at 2611 11th Ave. NW, Minot, ND 58703
Memorials are preferred to the Carnegie Center, 105 2nd Ave SE, Minot, ND 578701.

Officiant: Rev. Greg Anderson

Eulogist: Mylan Sand

Music: Sharon's grandchildren, Jack H. Fagerland will offer, Gavotte in G minor
Leah K. Fagerland will offer, "On Eagles Wings"
Elizabeth C. Sand, "How Great Thou Art"
Congregational hymns,"The Lord of Sea and Sky" & "Softly and Tenderly"
Kathleen Kihle, organist

Honorary Bearers: Sharon's family and friends

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