Sharlene Mae Christian, of Shakopee, passed away suddenly on November 8, 2018 at the age of 74. Visitation is Monday, November 12, 2018 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (4565 Pleasant St. SE) in Prior Lake. Celebration of Life Service is Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at 11:00 AM with visitation one-hour prior at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church (3611 North Berens Road NW) in Prior Lake. Pastors Dan Poffenberger & Rebecca Gamble will preside, and Sharlene will be laid to rest at Spring Lake Cemetery in Prior Lake. Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Sharlene’s honor by her family.
On March 19, 1944, Sharlene was born to parents Harlan & Elvira Thompson. Sharlene was a twin; however, her sister Sharon died at birth. Sharlene was later blessed with a little sister, Twylah. As a girl, Sharlene loved growing up on the family farm in Elmore. When she wasn’t helping with chores, she enjoyed playing “school” with her sister. Sharlene used a blackboard from an old country schoolhouse to teach her sister everything she needed to know. From then on, Sharlene knew she wanted to be a teacher.
After graduating from Elmore High School, Sharlene attended Luther College where she studied Elementary Education. Sharlene loved her time at Luther and was so proud when her son followed in her footsteps years later. Right out of school, Sharlene began teaching. She loved shaping the minds of children, and always knew that she also wanted children of her own. Sharlene was blessed with two wonderful children, Brent & Sara. They were the light of her life, and Sharlene was the best mom.
When her kids were young, they spent summers at lake cabins with family and friends. Sharlene passed on her love of games to her kids. They enjoyed playing 500, Scrabble and doing puzzles together. One night at a friend’s house party, Sharlene met a handsome young man named Bill. Sharlene and Bill instantly gravitated towards one another and spent the whole night talking. They quickly fell in love and were married two years later at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church on January 14, 1989.
Bill & Sharlene settled their family in Shakopee and shared a wonderful life together. Sharlene spent the last 20+ years of her career teaching in the Shakopee School District. Sharlene even got to teach alongside her daughter who had followed in her footsteps. After working nearly 40 years in education, Sharlene retired in 2007.
In retirement, Sharlene had more time to pursue her passions. She kept the most beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. She often recruited her family to help with planting and weeding of her gardens. Sharlene was an avid reader and longtime member of a book club. Bill & Sharlene took many trips together visiting friends and family in Florida, California & Okoboji. Their most memorable trip was to the Holy Land. Sharlene always loved the holidays and went all out for every celebration.
She was such a generous woman and volunteered her time and talents at church and school. Sharlene was an accomplished cook and baker. She and Bill belonged to a monthly dinner club through church. Sharlene often prepared the dessert course for the group. Her treats were so delicious that her grandkids nicknamed her “Mema Cookies.” Sharlene loved being a grandma. She attended countless softball games and band concerts supporting her grandkids. She loved them so much!
Although Sharlene had many interests throughout her life, the most important things were her faith, family & friends. Sharlene was so selfless and would do anything for those she loved. She was a kind, smart and generous woman. She will be deeply missed and remembered always by her loving husband, Dr. William Christian; children, Brent Field, Sara (Matt) Theis; step-children, Liz Bouma, Linda Christian & Jayne (Jim) Sweeney; grandchildren, Sydney, Trystan, William, Vanessa, Eloise, David; sister, Twylah Kohout; other loving relatives and many dear friends. Sharlene was greeted in Heaven by her parents, Harlan & Elvira (Naumann) Thompson and her twin sister, Sharon Thompson.
