Sharon Irene Christiansen Higgins was born Aug. 12, 1950 at the Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis, the daughter of Don and Anne (Kassube) Christiansen. Sharon was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith and attended school at Coon Rapids High School in Coon Rapids.
After high school Sharon was united in marriage to Jim Finke on April 29, 1968 in Watertown, S.D. To this union four children were born: Lisa, Brian, Dean and Troy. They made their home in the Minneapolis area and in Grand Marais.
Throughout her life Sharon worked in the Grand Marais area as a blackjack dealer and waitress and as a cook at North Shore Hospital.
Sharon will be remembered as a lady who liked to do everything for everybody. While working full-time, she was active teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and enjoyed her role as a Cub Scout leader and Girl Scout leader. Sharon was also involved in Tupperware sales, winning a car for her achievements.
Whether it was cooking, baking, or canning, Sharon was always preparing something wonderful for her family and friends. Her kitchen was regularly filled with their favorites which her family would seek out while visiting. They will especially miss the large variety of Christmas cookies she made each year.
In 2010 Sharon moved to Thief River Falls to be closer to her family. Although she lived in Thief River Falls for a short time, she touched many people while she was there. Sharon attended United Methodist Church. She quickly became involved with church activities there and developed a church family which became very important to her.
Sharon will be remembered as a hard-working and loving mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, sister, aunt and friend.
Sharon is survived by her children, Lisa Finke of Thief River Falls, Brian Finke of Grand Marais, and Dean Finke of Mahnomen; grandchildren Ashley Finke of Thief River Falls, Shanel Finke of Climax, MN, Samantha Dahl of Thief River Falls, Krista Dahl of Thief River Falls, Leah Peters of Duluth, Brian “Bubba” Finke Jr. of Grand Marais, Chance Finke of Grand Marais, Aniah Finke, Desi Finke, and Ciara Finke, all of Mahnomen; great-grandchildren Jakody Lewis, Isaiah Shockly and Chloe Peters; brother and sisters Richard “Dick” Christiansen and his wife Ellie of Grand Marais, Dianne “Dee Dee” Hamre and her husband David of McIntosh, MN, and Bonnie Sue Christiansen of Page, N.D.; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.
Preceding Sharon in death is her son, Troy Finke; grandson, Matthew Finke; her parents; the father of her children, Jim Finke; uncle, Bob Christiansen; niece Darlene, her husband, Keith Peters and their daughter, Bree.
Sharon Higgins died Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, N.D. at the age of 60 years, 7 months and 25 days. Interment was April 12 at Poplar Grove Cemetery, Grand Marais. Memorials preferred to the family of Sharon Higgins. May her memory be blessed.
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