Sharon Marie (Bergsten) Arfstrom

Sharon Marie Arfstrom, 87, passed away December 23, 2025, after a lengthy, but delightful stay at Bethesda Grand in Willmar, with support from CentraCare Hospice. Her funeral will be 11:00 am, Friday, January 2nd at First Covenant Church in Willmar.  Visitation will be from 3-5:00 pm, Thursday, January 1st at Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar and continue one hour prior to the service at the church.  www.hafh.org

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 attended 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 Kandiyohi Power Co-op Board of Directors for twelve 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 on 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, and children, Kari Arfstrom & Neil Schimmenti of Churchton, Maryland (near Washington DC) and Jon & Melissa Arfstrom of North Oaks, MN (St Paul suburb); and her amazing grandchildren, Sarah & Evan Mattson, Owen, Allison, and Laura.

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