Sharon "Sam" Ann (Buck) Mendenhall

Sharon Ann Mendenhall “Sam”, age 78 of Big Lake and formerly of Ramsey, passed away July 15, 2025. She was born in Mankato to Gerald and Evelyn (Fleming) Buck on May 17, 1947.

Sam was raised in Garden City, MN and graduated from Garden City High School. She furthered her education at Mankato State. She worked with NW Airlines -stationed in NYC, and with AT&T that brought her back to Minnesota where she met the love of her life, Thomas Mendenhall. They enjoyed their first date at Farmfest in September of 1972 and were married in October of 1973. The two spent 45 years in Ramsey until recently moving to Big Lake.

Sharon was a talented and passionate artist. She made beautiful pieces of art using oil, colored pencil, and watercolor. She was also skilled in scroll saw wood cutting, sewing, porcelain doll making, and making intricate gingerbread houses. She loved sharing her artistic knowledge with others by teaching classes by making art with colored pencils and other techniques. Sharon was also a gifted cook and baker and took great pride in her garden and flowers.

She was an active and dedicated member of the Elk River American Legion Auxiliary. She will be remembered for her creativity and kindheartedness.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Evelyn Buck.

Sam is survived by her loving husband, Tom Mendenhall; siblings, Glenn Buck, Larry Buck and Kay Hoeft; siblings-in-law, Alan Mendenhall, Lee Mendenhall, Jean Adelmann and Joan Tallman; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM, with visitation one hour prior, at Dare’s Funeral Home in Elk River, followed by a celebration of life from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Elk River American Legion Post 112.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Dare’s Funeral Home of Elk River, MN. 763-441-1212. www.daresfuneralhome.com.

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