Sharon Darlene Harden

Sharon Darlene (Nelson) Harden, 85, of Hawley, MN, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Sanford Hospice House, Fargo, ND.

Sharon was born on January 26, 1939, in rural Badger, MN, to Art and Manda (Skeim) Nelson. She grew up in Greenbush, MN, where she graduated from High School. She moved with her parents to Twin Valley, MN, where she worked at Northwest Angle and Flag Island during the summers. She was united in marriage to Veril Harden on September 13, 1958, in Hawley, MN, and together they began farming in rural Hawley, MN, Eglon Township where they raised their family. When the kids were old enough to watch themselves, Sharon began working at Hawley Manor as a cook and dietary aide. She worked at St. Ansgar Hospital and Evergreen Nursing Home for a short time before returning to Hawley Manor, retiring in 2012. In her retirement, she lived on the farm with Veril until his passing in 2013 when she moved to Hawley where she has lived ever since.

Sharon loved working with sheep, which involved working behind the scenes and coordinating events, showing, and being the secretary to the secretary at Equity Livestock. She also enjoyed cooking, especially for her family, and made sure no one left hungry. Sharon was an active 4-H leader and an active member at Solem Lutheran Church, participating in the choir and ladies aid. She was always striving to be the best wife, mother, and grandmother she could ever be, to which her family would reply that it wasn’t even a question.

Sharon is survived by her children, Michael (Lynnette Krueger) Harden, Kris Harden, and Becky (Jeff) Rodewald; grandchildren, Sarah Harden, Alex Cookson, Abby Harden, Patrick Harden, Margo (Casey) Kugler, Trystin Harden, Parker (Olivia) Hanson, Garrick Rodewald, and Ethan Harden; great-grandchildren, Liam Spieker, Gavin Singleton, Carter Kugler, Hudson Rogers, and Chase Kugler; sister-in-law, Leona Cole; and many other loving relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Veril; parents, Art and Manda; brothers, Allan and Kevin Nelson; sister, Dianne Isabell; and daughter-in-law, Alana Harden.

Visitation will be from noon to 1:00 P.M., followed by the funeral service at 1:00 P.M., Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Wright Funeral Home, Hawley, MN. A livestream of the service will be available on her webpage at www.wrightfuneral.com where a guestbook and video tribute may also be found.

Sharon’s family would like to extend their appreciation to Sanford Hospice House, along with Shirley Anderson, Audrey Langerud, Leona Cole, and Pastor Jill Steichen for the special care they gave to Sharon.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the Solem Lutheran Church Organ Fund.