Sharon Rosalie Johnson, age 77, of Anoka died April 11, 2024 at Park River Estates Care Center in Coon Rapids. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, May 5th at Long Lake Lutheran Church in Isanti with a time for visiting one hour prior. Burial will be in Long Lake Community Cemetery.
Sharon Rosalie Onstad was born January 27, 1947, in Spring Grove, Minnesota, to Arnold and Rosalie Onstad. She graduated from Spring Grove High School in 1965 and went on to nursing school in Winona. During a chance encounter in Minneapolis, Sharon met the love of her life, James Phillip Johnson. They were married in Spring Grove in 1969. Eventually, they made their home in Anoka, Minnesota, where they raised their three children, Tim, Mark, and Jennifer.
After settling in Anoka, Sharon spent time as a stay-at-home mom before renewing her nursing license and working as a nurse at East Main and Riverway Clinics. She worked for the same doctor at Riverway for 30 years before retiring to help care for Jim in his remaining years. Shortly after her retirement, Sharon was diagnosed with the rare neurological disease Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.
Sharon loved her job. She loved working with patients, whom she remembered fondly until her final months. Sharon was a talented seamstress and quilter for many years and was very active in her church community until she moved to the nursing home. Her greatest love was for her children and grandchildren. She loved being “Grams” more than anything and tried to stay active in their lives as long as she could. Sharon’s love for her grandchildren will never be forgotten.
She will be lovingly remembered by her three children, Tim (Kim) Johnson, Mark (Kris) Johnson, and Jennifer (Jason) Sonterre; her three siblings, Charles (LaVonne) Onstad, Mildred Halverson, and James (Audrey) Onstad; three step-siblings, Michael (Ann) Percuoco, Sue (Steve) Prussing, and Mary (Lindsay) Opsahl; eight grandchildren, Josh, Annie, Ethan, Aly, Mady, Charlotte, Mia, and John; and a multitude of friends and patients.
In addition to her parents, Arnold and Rosalie Onstad and Betty Onstad, Sharon was preceded in death by her loving husband, James Johnson, and her brother-in-law, Gaylord Halverson.
I met Sharon when we both worked as nurses at Riverway Clinic in Anoka. A friendship that I cherished for 20+ years. I will miss her ❤️
I loved this beautiful lady! She was the BEST nurse ever! I had the honor of working with her at RiverWay Clinic and having her as my nurse when I was seeing Dr Gonzales. She will be deeply missed by all. RIP Sharon 😢😢
Sharon will be greatly missed. I worked with her for 16 years at Riverway! She would always add a T to my name (even after that many years) but I never minded. She was always so nice to me!
Cousin Sharon and I were the same age. We grew up together as friends. Almost every Sunday after church we would leave Houston and drive to Spring Grove to gather at either grandpa n gramma’s house, aunt Rosalie n Clarence with cousins, or out to the Onstad family farm that Sharon n family grew up at near Blackhammer. It was always great food and great fun!
We were class of ’65, Sharon in Spring Grove, me at Houston – rivals in the same sports conference. So it was always fun bantering with each other.
Sharon and Jim, Suzanne and I enjoyed getting together when we both lived in the Twin Cities.
Sharon was more than a cousin, she was my friend! I will always remember her fun humor, great attitude, just nice to be around. God bless the Johnson and Onstad families as you go this grieving time.
I am sadden to hear the loss of sweet Sharon. I had the pleasure of working and calling her my friend for over 20 years. Sharon always made ya feel loved and appreciated, she always lended a listening ear whenever one was needed and always had great advice. I will forever treasure the friendship we had, an of course the many laughs we shared. To Sharon’s Family you are in my thoughts and prayers. Sharon will forever missed. RIP Sharon.
I met Sharon and Jim when I lived next door to them in St Francis back in the early 2000’s. They were such nice people. We usually had our monthly townhouse meetings at their house. I remember Jim made this pudding and vanilla cracker dessert. It was so simple but it was so good. I’m sorry to hear of Sharon’s passing. Jen is the only one of kids I met but my sympathy to all of you.
This very sweet and caring lady will be greatly missed! I had the pleasure of working with her at Riverway clinics for years. She was amazing at what she did. Sharron you will be missed by all!