Obituary of Sharon Kay Elke

Sharon Elke January 20, 1945 to September 15, 2023.  

Sharon passed away peacefully at home in Oak Grove, Minnesota, with the love of her life by her side.

Sharon was born to Melvin and Pearl Timmons in Topeka, Kansas, the ninth child out of ten. While she lived away from Kansas most of her life, she returned often for reunions, anniversary celebrations for her parents, and many visits.

Sharon met Dennis Elke on a double date with her sister Florence in 1961. They fell in love and were married on Valentine’s Day in 1962. Later that year, they welcomed their first child, Dennis Jr. The young family moved to Minnesota, where they had three more children: Denise, Sherri & Sheryl. Sharon always wanted to be a mother and loved children so much, she ran an in-home daycare and helped raise some of her nine grandchildren.  

Possessing many creative talents, Sharon was an expert seamstress, making all types of clothing for both people & dolls, curtains, bedding, Christmas stockings and more. She also dabbled in numerous other artistic pursuits, including stained glass, ceramics, and interior decorating. 

Coming from Kansas, it’s surprising to note that Sharon loved winter, with Christmas being her favorite holiday. She particularly liked the snow and would spray a frosty effect on her windows, along with window stickies. She decorated beautifully for the season, played Christmas music around the clock, and baked delicious trays of treats that she gave out to all her friends and family. Sharon always had a sweet tooth, and she liked to spread it to those she loved.

One thing that never faltered for Sharon was her faith in the Lord.  She was a praying woman and had a love for studying the Bible.  Her family is comforted that she is now at home with Jesus. 

Sharon is survived by her husband of 61 years, Dennis Elke Sr.; her four children: Dennis Elke Jr. (Denise), Denise Cruz (Curt), Sherri Wenner, and Sheryl Booth (Alan); her nine grandchildren: Ilia Kuehn (Tom), Melissa Elke (Ellen Raushel), Collin Booth (Lauren), Rebecca Wenner, Allison Booth (Terrence Conner), Meaghan Gaige (Alec), Anthony Deziel, Thorin Wenner, Josh Deziel (Taylor Brockopp); six great grandchildren: Dominik Olsen (Sarah), Hailey Olsen, Rayna Kuehn, Austin Kuehn, Eloise Raushelke and Myla Raushelke; three sisters, many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Below is a quote from Sharon written in her Bible:

“My hope & prayer is that some day this Bible will be my legacy to my husband and 4 children, and 9 grandchildren and they live it as I have made it my life’s work, not always succeeding as most know and observed.”

A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held on October 7th, 2023.

Visitation; Coffee & Sweets 10am, Service 11am. Faithbrook  Church 14100 Elm Creek Rd, Dayton, MN 55369