Plummer – Sharon Rosten, 67, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 1, 2017 at Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, May 5, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Brooks with Father Bob Schreiner presiding. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Brooks.
Sharon Lee Cardinal, the daughter of Ernest and Anna (Williams) Cardinal, was born October 2, 1949 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Crookston. She was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic faith. She attended school in Brooks, then Plummer, graduating from Pershing High School with the class of 1967. She went on to study at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. In the midst of Sharon’s college career, Sharon and her sister Carol caught a redeye to California where they spent the next year making wonderful memories. Upon returning to the university, Sharon earned her Bachelor of Science in education. Sharon’s first teaching job was at St. Bernard’s School in Thief River Falls.
On June 16, 1973, Sharon was united in marriage to her lifelong friend Byron Rosten at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Brooks. Their first home together was in Fertile, where Sharon taught at the Fertile School. In 1976, they moved to Plummer and would soon build a house in Emardville Township. Byron and Sharon were blessed with three children – Aaron, Catherine and Tracy. Sharon stayed home to care for her young children for several years. She returned to teaching in 1983 as a first-grade teacher at the Plummer School. Aaron was a student in her first classroom and she would go on to teach both of her daughters as well. Sharon retired in 2005 due to her declining health. Sharon was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia the same year her first grandchild was born. She was never able to be the wonderful grandmother she was born to be to her seven grandchildren.
Sharon absolutely loved being a mother and a teacher. She strongly believed in the value and potential of all the children in her life. Her own children’s activities and sporting events were her social life for many years. She rarely missed an event and was always their biggest fan. She had a genuinely kind spirit and made time for everyone even if it meant no time for herself.
Sharon was a member of St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church in Plummer. She was very giving of her time with a true servant’s heart. After its closing, she became a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Brooks. She had a quiet and personal relationship with God, praying when things got hard and rejoicing when things were good.
Although no words were said, Sharon continued to be a teacher throughout her illness. She taught her family about unconditional love, trusting in God’s plan, grief, loss, hope and so much more. Her gentleness, friendliness and overall optimistic attitude remained steadfast until her last breath.
Following her diagnosis, Byron lovingly cared for Sharon in their home for several years. In 2011, Sharon moved to Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine. The family would like to express sincere gratitude for Pioneer Memorial Care Center and its dedicated staff. Their genuine compassion and care for Sharon is deeply appreciated.
Sharon’s family has grieved for years; it has truly been a very long good bye.
Survivors include her husband, Byron of Plummer; children, Aaron (Peni) Rosten of Grand Forks, ND, Catherine Johnson of Oklee, and Tracy (Jeff) Haack of Bemidji; grandchildren, Brady and Graham Rosten, Jennifer and Ethan Johnson, Matthew, Emily and Henry Haack; siblings, Marie Chopyk, Carol Cardinal, Donna (Orvis) Mossestad, Robert (Anita) Cardinal; sister-in-law, Trudy (Leslie) Wilde; nieces and nephews, Debbie (Stacy) Buggle, Dale (Taya) Mossestad, Brad Mossestad, Andrew (Samantha) Cardinal, Jenny (Paul) Wilde L’heureux, Kevin Wilde, LeAnn (Luca) Varuni; and many other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law, John Chopyk.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com A000032017MY10