Sharon E Feldbrugge

Sharon E. Feldbrugge age 82 of Mankato, died Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at Sunrise Cottage in Mankato.

Funeral Service will be held at 11a.m., Friday, June 5, 2009 at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Mankato with Rev. Keith Siverly officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Hills Memorial Park in Mankato. Visitation will be held from 5 " 8 p.m., Thursday at Mankato Mortuary and one hour before the service at the church. Memorials may be given to ISJ Hospice and Alzheimer Association.

A life-long Mankato resident, Sharon Eileen Feldbrugge was born August 8, 1926 to Ben and Marvel Daby. A 1944 graduate of Mankato High School, and a former employee of Continental Can Company where she met her husband Roland Feldbrugge. They married in 1950 at the West Side Chapel. She was a charter member at St. Marks Lutheran Church. There she contributed her time and talents as an officer and member of the Ladies Aide.

Those who knew Sharon can attest to her endearing nature, generous spirit and kind heart. She lived a life similar to those of her generation, cooking and caring for the family she loved. Few days went by when the cookie jar in her kitchen went empty. The back door was always open and the coffee on. Her real joys in life came from spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren. Her days filled with baking, puttering in her garden, and visiting with friends.

Her career goals were simple and worked around the school year, giving her and the family the opportunity to live at the lake for the summer. And just like the cookie jar in town, the one at the lake rarely went without. In late fall, she could be found at Mahowald's setting up the toy department for the Christmas season. After the holidays, and the toys packed away until next year, she went to work at the vocational school where she helped in the farm management department.

Sharon leaves behind a legacy of kindness and generosity. Her commitment to family and community help shaped, for the better, the lives of those she encountered. While she didn't make millions, or receive affluent credentials, her life was challenged by one important goal. That is, to love your neighbor as yourself.

Sharon is survived by two daughters, Janice (Doug) Miller of Anacortes, WA; Nancy Feldbrugge-Roland of Apple Valley, MN; one son, Marc (Sandy) Feldbrugge of Mankato; eight grandchildren. Emily Miller, Timothy Miller, Sarah McDonald, Ryan (Sara) Feldbrugge, Chase Feldbrugge; Ben Montag, Katie Montag; one great-granddaughter, Shelby McDonald; two sisters, Geraldine (Dale) Larvick of Mankato, Myrna Winkelman of St. Clair; brother, Mark ( Dianne) of Mankato. Preceded in death, parents; husband, Roland; sister, Vonne Knutson.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to all of those who cared for Sharon during her time at Sunrise Cottages, including the devoted Hospice volunteers.