Sharon Pauline Harkau

Sharon Pauline Harklau got her heart’s desire to meet the Lord on May 1, 2025 when she passed away peacefully at her home in Stillwater, MN.

Sharon was born to Glen and Agnes Hoople on February 10, 1938 in Minneapolis, MN. They lived at the Winslow apartments right across the street from Central Lutheran Church. When Sharon was a young girl the family moved to their Clinton Avenue home where she enjoyed a happy childhood surrounded by cousins, family, and friends.

She took piano lessons and later organ lessons, and was active in church choir and youth group. She graduated from Washburn High School in 1956. Sharon then attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa where she decided to become a Latin teacher. She also played the organ for the student congregation. A highlight for Sharon was being able to play the organ at Central Lutheran Church from time to time. It was at Luther that she met the love of her life Lanny Harklau. She graduated in 1960 with a bachelor of arts degree, majoring in Latin and minoring in English. After college, she taught one year of Latin and English at the high school in Anoka MN.

On June 24, 1961 she married Lanny and they had a small apartment in Richfield, MN. When Lanny was called into active duty for the Air National Guard she took a secretary job at the American Lutheran Church headquarters in Minneapolis. They bought their first house in Bloomington, MN where they had their three children Beth, John, and Jim. Then in 1974 the family moved to their home in Stillwater, MN. Sharon was a dedicated mother and kept involved in her children’s lives by being a den mother for the Cubs Scouts, playing piano with the children’s choir, and as an English teacher checking everyone’s homework.

For Sharon, her faith in Jesus Christ was the center of her daily life and it came through with her sweet and friendly personality. Sharon always had time to talk with others and spread her joy and faith. Sharon kept her love and talent for music for the rest of her life as she always loved singing and playing hymns on the piano. She also encouraged her children and grandchildren to pursue music. Most of all, Sharon’s family was always her first thought and priority, and she was generous with her care and time towards them. Being a loving wife, mother, and grandmother were the things that meant the most to her and gave her the most joy.

She is preceded in death by her parents Glen and Agnes Hoople. She will be dearly missed by her husband Lanny Harklau; children Beth (Mark) Herzfeld, John Harklau, and Jim (Suzan) Harklau; grandchildren Hannah Herzfeld, Noah (Rachel) Herzfeld, Luke Harklau, and Jessica (Nolan) Benshoof, and great granddaughter Natalie Herzfeld.

Visitation is Friday, May 16 at 10 a.m. at Stillwater Evangelical Free Church, 7671 Manning Ave. N. in Stillwater, MN followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. and a lunch.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Cancer Society.