Sharon Abel Halvorsen

Halvorsen, Sharon Abel

Age 75, passed away at home, surrounded by family, on October 22, 2023, after a brief battle with cancer.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard Isaac Halvorsen; her parents, Marian and Fred Abel and a brother, Bradley Abel.  She is survived by her son, Richard Abel Halvorsen; one brother, Gordon Abel; three sisters: Constance Abel [Larry Brinlee], Sandra Abel and Lori Abel Norvitch [Irwin]; Bradley's widow, Lori Abel and their son, Brian Abel; and her devoted canine companion, Bambi.

The first of six siblings, Sharon was born in Rochester, MN June 28, 1948, and lived in various places across the Midwest throughout her childhood, her father's work in retail sales and management requiring relocation every few years, with permanent relocation to Rice Lake, WI in 1957.  Her and her mother's love of horses led to the purchase of two mares and membership in the local Saddle Club, and horses were often featured in her sketches and other works of art.  Her talent for sketching became evident early on, her grasp of depth perception and proportion came naturally to her, as did a love of books and knowledge.  She graduated from Rice Lake High School in 1966 and immediately enrolled at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, where she reveled in the academic environment, sating her thirst for knowledge and indulging her love of art and literature.  She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Psychology and soon put her talents to good use at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.  There, a Christmas party encounter with executive vice-president Richard Halvorsen blossomed into romance and the two were wed in August 1972.  They designed and built their home on Medicine Lake soon after and it remained their primary residence throughout their marriage.  Devoted to her beloved husband, Sharon left the Star-Tribune and became the quintessential wife and homemaker, channeling her artistic talents to the domestic realm while collaborating with her husband in publishing In Minneapolis magazine after his early retirement.  In 1982, their son Richard was born and Sharon became a loving mother, dedicated to caring for the needs of their son, providing lessons in basic life skills while encouraging emotional and spiritual growth through exposure to all forms of art, play and travel, with an emphasis on nature and an appreciation of the extraordinary beauty of God's creatures and creation.  Sharon loved the change of seasons the Midwest offers and celebrated each, but she also enjoyed wintering in Hawaii during their son's formative years, marveling in the marked difference in the two; periodic retreats to their rustic lake cabin north of Minneapolis were also a treat and a welcome respite.  Her son's milestones and personal accomplishments as he grew into a fine young man were a source of pride and great joy.

Sharon's talent for organization and time management served her well throughout these years, as she found time in her busy schedule to indulge her artistic inclinations.  Embroidered pillows and wall hangings, latch hook pillows and rugs, seasonal decor, dried flower arrangements and other craft-work items abound, numerous oil paintings adorn the walls, and she even found time to compose a murder mystery and become a published author!  Other creative endeavors included cooking, baking and entertaining, even hosting the wedding celebration of her youngest sister, providing decorations, creating the wedding cake and catering the event!  She was thrilled to accept a part-time position at the nearby Betty Crocker kitchens, sampling products and providing feedback.

In recent years, Sharon, active and feisty, focused on maintaining her lovely home, flower beds, sloping lawn, waterfront and woodland, continuing to enjoy the beauty of her surroundings and the myriad of wild creatures that called her property home.

A memorial service for Sharon will be held at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel, 15800 37th Ave. North, Plymouth, MN 55446 on Tuesday, October 31 at 1 p.m. with visitation starting at 12 noon.  A private burial will follow.  In lieu of flowers, monetary gifts in her memory may be sent to the funeral home and monies collected will be donated to one or more of Sharon’s favorite charities.