Sharon Esther Roslien

Sharon Esther Roslien, age 87, of Minnetonka, MN, passed away on Friday, April 4, 2025, after a courageous battle with dementia and coronary failure. Sharon was born on April 12, 1937, at Park Hospital in Mason City, IA. She was first born to Esther and Hartwick Roslien from Kensett, IA. Sharon was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church, where she attended Sunday School and the Luther League later in life. In fact, Sharon attended the National Luther League Convention in Washington State, her junior year of high school. Sharon continued her membership in Bethany her entire life. She served on the church council and was involved in a ladies circle group and bible study group. Bethany was her beloved church community.

Sharon spent her K-12 education in the Kensett public schools. She was involved in several co-curricular activities and was an excellent student, graduating as a Valedictorian of her class in 1955. Sharon continued her education at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. Her majors were in History and Spanish. She graduated Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa in 1959. During her college years, she worked summer jobs at the state mental hospital in Rochester, MN. In those days, electric shock and lobotomies were considered helpful to mental patients. Boy, did she have stories to tell about her experiences. Later, she worked as an aide at the Good Samaritan Home in Mason City, IA.

She began her lifelong career in education in Viroqua, WI, teaching History and Spanish. After 3 years in Viroqua, Sharon accepted a position at Faribault High School in MN. She taught there for 5 years, and during her time there, she made the decision to get her master’s degree in library science from the University of Minnesota. When she finished her master’s, she applied for a position in the White Bear Lakes school system as a Library Media Professional and worked there until her retirement in 1999.

Sharon enjoyed traveling with friends and family throughout her lifetime. She drove the Alaskan Highway from Anchorage to Kotzebue in 1965 with dear friends Arlene Jorde and Fay Tenold. Always prepared, they carried 2 spare tires in case they had a flat. Sharon also took a cruise to Hawaii with Kensett friends. Other trips include many trips to Mexico, Canada, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Russia, England, France, and many other European countries and states within the USA. When Sharon wasn’t traveling, she was reading books. She was an avid reader. Her library consisted of over 1000 volumes. One of her other loves was playing bridge with her friends. She was a member of three bridge groups for many years.

Sharon enjoyed live theater productions with many friends. She had season tickets to The History Theater in St. Paul, Lakeshore Players in White Bear Lake, and attended most productions at The Chanhassen Dinner Theater. In addition, she joined Pat and Craig at The Orpheum and State Theater plays for over twenty years. Sharon always looked forward to dinner with friends and family. Some of her favorite haunts were Red Lobster, Prime and Wine, and the Muskie Lounge. Every June, the Roslien family vacationed at Kilworry Resort in northern Minnesota with the Bartleson and Ostby clans. The Erickson girls: Esther, Eva, and Naomi’s respective families started this tradition after Grandpa Bartleson was the first to discover the resort 95 years ago. Typically, there are over 100 relatives at this week-long reunion.

Sharon spent many hours gardening with her parents and later with Craig and Pat. Every Labor Day weekend, the family teamed together to produce delicious tomato juice! Usually, we canned 40+ quarts of tasty tomato juice! It was so good!!

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Esther and Hartwick Roslien and many caring aunts and uncles. Sharon is survived by her loving brother and sister-in-law, Craig and Patricia Roslien; niece, Sarah Zirbes (Daniel); nephew, Stephen Roslien (Kimberly); great-nephew, Mason Roslien, and many cousins.

Services will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church, 600 5th St, Kensett, IA 50448 on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. A luncheon will follow the service. Interment will be at Elk Grove Cemetery following the luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Sharon's honor to Bethany Lutheran Church or send to her alma mater St. Olaf, https://wp.stolaf.edu/giving.

https://app.memories.net/invite/memorial/15b68eac-36d2-47b8-93d7-ae9e8313f986/link

Hoff Celebrations – Sites Memorial Chapel of Northwood is assisting the family with arrangements.