Sharon Jenkins

Sharon Rose Jenkins, 77, passed away in her sleep on Friday, December 20, 2019 at the Clarkson Mountain View Health Care Facility in Rapid City, SD.

Sharon’s Funeral will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior’s in Winnebago, MN officiated by Pastor Mike Omtvedt at 11:00 am with burial and lunch to follow. Visitation will be held Friday, January 10, 2020 at the Spencer Owen Funeral Home from 5:00pm to 7:00pm in Winnebago, MN.

Sharon was born June 7, 1942 to Wayne L. and Dorothy (Hamelau) Whiteford in East Chain Township Martin County, MN growing up on the farm near Winnebago, MN. She attended school in Winnebago and graduated in 1960. She then attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St Peter, MN and graduated with a Teaching Degree in math and science.

Sharon married LeRoy Jenkins on September 26, 1964 in the British Territory of Gibraltar with a ceremony following in Rota, Spain and resided at Rota Naval Base in Spain.  Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, they moved back to the United States. Sharon continued her teaching career and in 1966, they were blessed with the birth of their son, Dean.

While being a mother, Sharon also did some substitute teaching. In 1977 they took over Sharon’s family farm after the passing of her mother. Later in 1978, they moved to LeRoy’s family farm and began full time farming after the passing of his father.

Sharon was active in the local garden club, the church circle and became a 4-H Leader starting the Verona Club of which Dean became a member of. She was well known for starting her knitting business, making lots of sweaters, scarves, mittens, caps, etc.

After LeRoy passed Jan 2018, Sharon moved into assisted living, first in Winnebago, then Mankato and ending in Rapid City, SD to be closer to her son and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband LeRoy. She is survived by her son Dean (Lori) Jenkins of Ludlow, SD, granddaughter Sierra Jenkins of Brookings, SD, grandson Dalton Jenkins of Rapid City, SD, sisters Joyce Styve of Mankato, MN, Doris (Jon) Weakly of Payson, AZ, Ardis (Byron) Josephson of Mankato, MN, Wanda Benoy of Dixon, IL, and brother Kevin (Donna) Whiteford of Waseca, MN.