Sharon Firle

Sharon Firle passed away September 18,2022. Loving Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, and Friend.

Sharon is survived by son, Shawn Firle of River Falls, WI; daughter, Dana Wojtacha of Wasilla, AK; siblings, Bud (Bernard) Johnson and wife Martha Hardwick, MN; Dave Johnson and wife Betty of Sanborn, MN, Gary Johnson and wife Judy of Winnebago, MN. Grandchildren: Morgan Firle, Taylor Firle, Molly Wojtacha, Isaac Wojtacha, and Jacob Wojtacha, as well as many nieces and nephews. Sharon is preceded in death by parents, Ronald and Gladys Johnson; sister, Lois Mariner and brother-in-law, John Mariner.

Sharon, better known as Shari while growing up, was born in Springfield, MN. She graduated from Sanborn High School in 1967. Married Michael Firle March 15, 1969 and had two children. She attended the UW-River Falls, WI and graduated with a double major in Music and Business. She was a part of the theater during those years and performed in many plays. Sharon later attended Luther Seminary and graduated in the 90’s where she would go on to be a pastor in Upper Michigan and then Circle Pines, MN where she touched many lives with her sermons, her small group programs, and with her beautiful soprano voice. Recently, a fellow female pastor thanked her for paving the way for a younger generation of women to pursue their dreams of being in the clergy.

A beautifully talented musician, throughout the years Sharon sang in and directed various choirs, taught piano lessons, sang in a trio as well as professionally with the Minnesota Chorale. Her children fondly remember attending her performances at the historic Orpheum Theatre in St. Paul, Minnesota as well as the yearly Messiah sing-a-long.

Sharon will be deeply missed and forever loved by her children and family as well as the many lives she touched through her years.

A Memorial Service will take place at 3pm, Saturday, October 22, 2022, with a visitation starting at 2pm at O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 225 South 3 ^rd Street, River Falls, Wisconsin.

Arrangements entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home in River Falls, Wisconsin.