Sharon Wall

Sharon Irene Wall, 78, of Crookston, MN was called to her eternal home October 25, 2018 following a decade long cancer diagnosis.  Born September 19, 1940 to Vernon and Irene (Rice) Sullivan, Sharon grew up outside of Lisbon, ND on the farm with two brothers and four sisters. She attended St. Aloysius Catholic School and graduated from Lisbon High School.  It was in high school that Sharon met her “forever boyfriend”, Lee E. Wall. They married on January 29, 1960 and began their life together in Fargo, where Sharon worked at First National Bank while Lee attended undergrad school at NDSU. Their daughters, Reneè and Janet, were born during those years. The family then moved to Grand Forks, ND, where Sharon provided daycare in her home while Lee finished Law School at UND.

In 1966, Sharon and Lee moved to Crookston, MN where Lee joined Padden and Dickel Law Firm. Son, Chris, was born in 1967.  With two friends, Sharon co-owned 2 different businesses, City Hostess and Stretch and Sew. In 1980 Sharon was hired as the church secretary and later became office manager of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Church. She described the opportunity at the Cathedral “as a ministry that God placed in my life at just the right time.”

Civic service was important to Sharon and she served the Crookston community as a Riverview Hospital board member, President of the Riverview Auxiliary and as a hospice volunteer.  She enjoyed being an active member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Church, her beloved birthday club for 50+ years, Philanthropic Educational Organization, and the St. Rose of Lima Circle. Retiring from the Cathedral in 1996 allowed Sharon more time for traveling with Lee and enjoying extended family and friends. Favorite activities included entertaining, making and delivering  Swedish tea rings at the holidays, playing golf and bridge, fishing, reading and campfires. She and Lee enjoyed wintering in Arizona and Minnesota lake time in the summer.

Sharon’s greatest blessings in life were her roles as daughter, sister, friend, wife, mom, mother in-law and especially grandma. She was the foundation of the Wall family, which included 2 sons-in-law, and a daughter-in-law. She loved Tom, Ron and Beth like her own children. Her grandchildren called her “Grandma or Grams” and Sharon and Lee lovingly referred to them as the “Great 8.” They attended every baptism, concert, sporting event, play, confirmation, hunting weekend, graduation, prom, or recital possible if Carter, Alex, Bitsy, Lilli, Grace, Andrew, Tommy or Jonny were part of the action. Grandma was always available when they needed a listening ear, a prayer, a pep talk, a hug, or a perfectly made chocolate chip cookie, or root beer float.

Left to carry on Sharon’s legacy is her husband, who was also her best advocate and caregiver, Lee; daughter, Reneè (Tom) Rongen of Fertile, daughter, Janet (Ron) Denison of Crookston, and son, Chris (Beth) Wall of Owatonna: and “The Great 8,” Carter and Lilli Denison, Alexander, Elizabeth and Grace Rongen and Andrew, Tommy and Jonny Wall. She also leaves siblings: Don (Darlene) Sullivan, Jerry (Colleen) Sullivan, Kaye (Alden) Kempel, Jody (Jim) Hauge, and Pat (Steve) Cole; brother-in-law, Larry Dzuik; sister-in law, Margaret Wall; and many precious nieces, nephews and Godchildren.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Irene Sullivan; her parents-in-law, Edward and Lillian Wall; sister, Pearl Dzuik; brother-in-law, John D. Wall; and grandsons, Daniel K. and Benjamin L. Wall.

Sharon’s family thanks all the people in their lives that have lifted them in prayer and friendship. The steadfast concern and faithfulness has been invaluable and words can’t fully express the depth of their gratitude. Special thanks to Dr. Ring, the Villa St. Vincent Team, Hospice of the Red River Valley Team, and Jodi’s Angels, who lovingly helped Sharon at her time of greatest need.

In lieu of flowers, Sharon has requested that memorials be shared with The Phoenix Project, (located at the NWMHC in Crookston), a fund she co-created with her children, The Villa/St. Vincent Foundation, Riverview Foundation and Hospice of the Red River Valley

A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 30, 2018, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston with Fr. Vincent Miller, presiding.  Visitation will be at the Cathedral on Monday from 5-7:00 p.m. with a prayer service and sharing of memories at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday at the Cathedral. Inurnment at the Oakwood Cemetery in Lisbon, North Dakota will take place at a later date. The Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home, Crookston, MN, is assisting with funeral arrangements.

www.stenshoelhouske.com