Sharon L. Nelson

Sharon Leila Nelson passed away at her home on Thursday, March 5, 2026 following a courageous battle with cancer.

Sharon was born in Red Wing, MN, to Arnold and Nina (Lamberg) Johnson on February 11, 1942. She graduated in 1959 from Red Wing High School. On April 11, 1964, Sharon married Thomas Nelson. They purchased the "Vernon Young Place" in rural Cannon Falls in 1970 and made it their own. Sharon and Tom made a career of farming, and she enjoyed gardening, crafts and quilting. Sharon worked as a bookkeeper for JC Penneys and was a secretary at the Wanamingo School. She was elected to the County Department of Agriculture in 1993 (Community ASC Committee) for one term.

She was an active member of Spring Garden Lutheran Church where she served on the finance committee and with the Willing Workers. In the 1990's, Tom and Sharon enjoyed some travel, cruising the Panama Canal and various other destinations. Family was so important to her, and she loved hosting holidays and family gatherings every summer.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Tom on April 24, 2019; and brothers, Lyle, Dale and Roy Johnson. She is survived by her sister, Jan (Merle) Larson; sisters-in-law, Gwen (Lyle) Johnson and Sue (Dale) Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be on Friday, March 13 at 2:00 pm, with visitation from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm, at the Spring Garden Lutheran Church, 10239 Co 1 Blvd, Cannon Falls, MN 55009. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Active casket bearers will be Eric Sachs, Ross Johnson, Anthony Crudele, Peter Crudele, Bob Buchardt, and Pat Heim. Honorary casket bearers will be Dan Johnson, Vince Crudele, and Matthew Crudele.

Memorials may be directed to the Spring Garden Lutheran Cemetery or to the American Cancer Society.

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