Sharon J. Werner

Sharon Werner, 84, of Elk River, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2026.  She was born in Willmar, Minnesota, to Vernon and Viola Bratsch, on March 3, 1942, and grew up in Renville, Minnesota, alongside her younger brother, Keith.  They also had two older half-brothers, Donald and Lyle, whom they both loved spending time with. She was confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church in Emmet Township, Renville County and graduated from Renville High School in 1960.  Sharon loved music and at the age of 14, she became a church organist for the sister churches near her home, St. Matthews Lutheran Church and Bethany Lutheran Church.  It was during her time as a church organist that she met the janitor tending to those churches, Robert Werner. On October 20, 1962, they were united in marriage and within the next couple of years, they welcomed children Lorn and Cathy, while Sharon also attended college at the University of Minnesota, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English.

They lived in several different locations in their early years together and in the spring of 1974, they ended up in Big Lake, operating Corky’s Rock Shop, and raising their kids.  During the rock shop years, Sharon played the organ for the churches they belonged to, directed and sang in the church choirs, and accompanied their kids and other students in choir concerts and music competitions.  They also became foster parents, and through that venture, were blessed with a bonus daughter, Lori.

Over the years, Sharon always enjoyed spending time with her brother Keith and his family, when their busy schedules would allow, and holidays with both families were always a treat.  She also enjoyed visiting brother Don at his various locations over the years, particularly in Oregon. After the kids graduated from high school, Sharon started volunteering at the Monticello Nursing Home where she was later employed and in charge of the Therapeutic Recreation program.  She loved doing activities with the residents, taking field trips, and of course, playing music.  She also used a bit of her journalism degree by writing articles for the Monticello Times Community Perspective from time to time.  After Robert died in 1991, she became what she called a professional volunteer.  She volunteered at the nursing home, played piano at various senior and memory care facilities and founded the River City Ramblers, a senior citizen choir.  She continued with her music activities at Lord of Glory Lutheran Church, as well as becoming a church elder and holding various other titles throughout the years.  After she had grandchildren and great grandchildren, she also attended as many of their activities as she could, including choir and band concerts, hockey games, basketball and volleyball games, beauty pageants, speech contests, track meets, and numerous birthday parties and other milestone events.

Sharon loved cats.  If you knew Sharon, you know that that is a huge understatement.  While she loved all animals, she was particularly fond of cats.  She had cats growing up on the farm, cats when the kids were growing up, cats when the kids left home, and cats before and after Robert died.  Cats were constant throughout her life, and she loved them all dearly.  In her most recent years, after she moved to an assisted living apartment, one of her granddaughters would bring over Gus, Sharon’s final kitty that she loved oh so much.

Sharon also loved to travel, and Minnesota’s North Shore was a favorite destination throughout her entire life.  Many family vacations were taken there and after Robert died she would travel there at least a couple times per year with family, friends, or even by herself.  She instilled in her family a love of listening to the waves from Lake Superior lapping at the shoreline, hiking in the various state parks along the North Shore, visiting the small towns along the way, and having many adventures along the Gunflint Trail.  In addition, she took numerous bus trips throughout the U.S. with a senior citizen group and even traveled to Greece and Rome a few years back.  She was truly humbled and honored to have been able to visit the Vatican on that trip.

Lastly, Sharon was a very generous giver.  If she knew someone was struggling, she would quietly and anonymously gift them money, provide food around the holidays, or offer her time in helping any way she could.  She was very frugal and when she had extra, she would give it away, knowing that God would provide anything she needed.  She was a woman of strong faith in God, and she lived that faith every day.  She will truly be missed.

Survivors include:  son, Lorn (Anita) Werner; daughter Cathy (David) Kuchinski; daughter Lori (Gregg) Sellner; brother Keith (Cheryl) Bratsch; brothers-in-law Gordy (Gail) Werner and Howard (Jewel) Werner; sisters-in-law Ruth Rehm, Lynette Werner, Harriet Werner; grandchildren Irielle Werner, Amber Werner, Becky (Keven Ness) Traut; Kyle (Karen Yang) Sellner, Vanessa Sellner; great grandchildren Pearson (McKenna Anderson) Schroeder and Madison Traut; and many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Lord of Glory Lutheran Church, Elk River, MN at 12:00 PM. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM. Luncheon to follow the service. Sharon will be laid to rest on a later date.