Sharon Marie Arfstrom – Willmar, MN

Sharon Marie Arfstrom, 87, passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2025 after a lengthy but delightful stay at Bethesda Grand in Willmar with support from CentraCare Hospice. Her funeral was 11 a.m. Friday, January 2nd at First Covenant Church in Willmar. Visitation was from 3-5 p.m. Thursday, January 1 at Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar and continued one hour prior to the service at the church. Sharon Arfstrom was born in Minneapolis July 20, 1938 the daughter of Erland and Hazelle (Carlson) Bergsten. She attended early elementary school in Minneapolis while her father worked in a World War II munitions plant. After the war, her family moved to a farm in Otter Tail County where she at-tended a one-room country school. She was active in a 4-H Club showing cattle and baked goods at both county and state competitions. She graduated from Battle Lake High School in 1956 and enrolled at St. Cloud State College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. Sharon taught in White Bear Lake, Anoka and Cambridge before moving to Willmar in 1968. She retired from teaching at Roosevelt Elementary School in 1997 after teaching in the Willmar School system for decades. She received Elementary Science Teacher of the Year Award in 1996. Sharon served on the Kan-diyohi Power Co-op Board of Directors for 12 years. She was active in the Lioness Club, her Wednesday Night Bowling League and at First Covenant Church. The “crazy teacher” friends’ group are still the life of the party and will keep her laughing into heaven. Sharon was happiest when she was at the Eagle Lake cabin up north. Sharon married Glenn Alfred Arfstrom August 8, 1959 at Grue Lutheran Church of rural Ashby and were blessed with two children, Kari and Jon. They celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary this past summer. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Erland and Hazelle Bergsten; brother, Richard Bergsten; in-laws, Philip and Katherine Arfstrom; and brother-in-law, Donald Arfstrom. Surviving are husband, Glenn; children, Kari Arfstrom and Neil Schimmenti of Churchton, MD (near Washington DC) and Jon and Melissa Arfstrom of North Oaks, MN (St. Paul suburb); and her amazing grandchildren, Sarah and Evan Mattson, Owen, Allison and Laura. Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Homes of Willmar were in charge of arrangements. Condolances can be made on www.haf h.org.