Sharon Kay Pihlaja

Sharon K Pihlaja left this world suddenly on October 15, at age 66 at her home in Osage, MN. She was born to Harold and Dorothy Pihlaja on December 29, 1956. After graduating from Frazee Vergas High School in 1975, she enrolled in the United States Navy and later the United States Navy Reserves for 19 years. Sharon had a long career working in various manufacturing plants, including Barrel of Fun, TEAM Industries, and Lakeshirts. She attended Minnesota State Community and Technical College, where she graduated with an Accounting Degree in 2011. 

Sharon wore many hats, she was a beloved mother, grandma, aunt, sister, cousin, friend who put everyone else first. She truly cared about everyone around her and cherished all the time spent with family and friends. Her true passion was spending time with her granddaughter, nieces, and nephews. She was known and loved for baking those melt in your mouth caramel rolls, crocheting, crafting, and planting her garden pots. Recently, she was awarded with a 45 year of service pin to Wolf Lake Ladies Auxiliary and cherished the time spent with the ladies volunteering. Every Friday and Monday evening were Bingo nights with Heidi at Ice Cracking lodge where they had a standing reservation. On Sundays, she was devoted to church and enjoyed teaching Sunday School. In the past couple years, Sharon resumed her love for traveling including a trip to Arizona and California to see relatives, Houston Texas with her Granddaughter Faith for National Youth Convention, and a Cruise with Saarinens to the Bahamas.

Sharon will be greatly missed by her son Nathan Pihlaja and his wife Angel and their daughter Faith; sister-in-law Cathy Pihlaja, nephew Charlie Pihlaja and niece Dorothy Pihlaja; brother Duane Pihlaja, sister-in-law Sharon, nephew Casey Pihlaja; and many family and friends she met along her journey.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Dorothy Pihlaja; her brother James Pihlaja; her nephew Adam Pihlaja; and many grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Family and friends are invited to the visitation and funeral service for Sharon, to be held at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Osage, MN. The visitation will be at 10:00 am with funeral to follow at 11:00 am, Saturday, October 21, 2023. The funeral will begin at 11:00 am. Fellowship to follow.