Sharon K. Haugen

Sharon (Rodne) Haugen, age 83, of Mankato, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 4, 2026.

Sharon was born to Harley and Phyllis Rodne on July 2, 1943. She graduated from Parshall High School in Parshall, North Dakota, and later married the love of her life, Larry Haugen, on September 23, 1962. She worked as a real estate agent in Austin, MN, and later enjoyed a second career in accounting at Creation Technologies in Saint Peter, MN.

The youngest of three sisters, Sharon loved sharing stories of her youth growing up on the family farm. From canning fresh vegetables grown on the farm to getting snowed in at school during the harsh North Dakota winters, it was her wholesome, loving, family-filled upbringing that shaped her into the hardworking, resourceful, kind and generous woman she was.

Shortly after Sharon and Larry got married, they started a family of their own, welcoming three rambunctious boys. Sharon was a home economist like no other, working full-time and still always ensuring a warm meal was on the table for her family of five. After she retired and the house was a little quieter, Sharon took great joy in welcoming her grown children and their growing families back home. In fact, perhaps her most cherished role was that of “Grandma Haugen” to her 11 grandchildren. Whenever family visited, every meal was shared around the table, enjoying her home-cooked food and wonderfully detailed stories. And every meal concluded with a homemade lemon bar or peanut blossom and a warm cup of a coffee.

Sharon loved her family more than anything in this world, and she always made you feel like you were the most important person in her life. The world could use more Sharon Haugens. She will be sorely missed.

Sharon was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Larry Haugen. She is survived by her sons, Michael (Teresa) Haugen of Mankato, MN; Scott (Ashley) Haugen of Nashville, TN; and Ryan Haugen of Apple Valley, MN. She is also survived by her beloved sisters, Gayle Hagen of Spring Grove, MN, and Marlys Norsby of Jacksonville, NC. She leaves behind 11 grandchildren: Sara Gonsior, Jason Talley, Ashley (Pedro) Wheeler, Tyler (Bekah) Haugen, Nick Haugen, Happy Haugen, Sonny Haugen, Ollie Haugen, Winnie Haugen, Audrey Haugen, and Vivian Haugen; step-grandchild Josh Vanderberg; 11 great-grandchildren, five step-great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.

A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 511 S 5th St. in Saint Peter, MN, with a visitation from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. A light lunch will follow. A livestream of the service will be available for those who are unable to attend in person. A private burial will take place on October 11, 2026, at Spring Grove Cemetery in Spring Grove, MN, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved Larry.