Sharon Wateland

Sharon R. Wateland, 70, Wahpeton, ND, died Wednesday, January 14, 2008, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester , MN . Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 19 at St. John’s Catholic Church, Wahpeton with Rev. Terry Dodge as celebrant. Visitation will be held Sunday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. at Willow Creek Chapel ( 920 3 ^rd Avenue North ), Wahpeton; also, visitation Monday one hour prior to time of service at the church. Interment will be held at Fairview Memorial Gardens , Wahpeton in the spring.

Sharon Rae (Gast) Wateland was born February 27 , 1938, to Herbert and Alice (Thiel) Gast in Wahpeton. She was baptized, confirmed and received her First Holy Communion at St. John’s Catholic Church in Wahpeton. She attended St. John’s Catholic school through the 8 th grade and graduated from Wahpeton Senior High in 1956. Sharon worked for Central organization of Coast-to-Coast stores in Minneapolis from 1956 thru 1957. She was united in marriage on October 17 , 1957, to Kermit Melvin Wateland. The couple made their home in Wahpeton, and to this marriage was born 2 children, Lori Lynn and Lane Alan. Sharon through the years worked as a bookkeeper for Park Grant Company, Daily News, and Wahpeton Canvas Company. She also sold Avon for many years and enjoyed babysitting for several families. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Wahpeton Fire Department Auxiliary and Mrs. Jaycees. Sharon served as a Cub Scout den mother, Girl Scout leader, St. John’s usher, greeter and religion teacher. She was active in the arthritis support group which she started several years ago. Her greatest pride came from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was very active in following and attending all of their activities with her little box camera. She enjoyed baking and decorating the cakes for their first communion, confirmation and graduations. Sharon was a wonderful and caring wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be greatly missed; however, never forgotten.

Sharon is survived by her daughter Lori Lynn Oliphant Abercrombie ND and her friend David Cooper; her son, Lane Alan (Cindy) Wateland Wahpeton,; 4 grandchildren,: Jeremie Oliphant and his friend Jill Shelstad, Tanner (Alysha) Oliphant, Christopher Wateland, and Kelly Wateland; 2 great-grandchildren, Lawson Oliphant and Marra Oliphant; her brother, Darrell (Marlene) Gast, Wahpeton; her sisters, Ila Leinen, Wahpeto and Janelle (Roger) Erhman, Arvada CO; her brothers and sisters-in-law and  numerous nephews and nieces.

Sharon was preceded in death her parents Herbert and Alice Gast; her husband, Kermit (1992); and several of her in-laws.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Vertin-Munson Funeral Home. Visit our Online Guestbook at www.vertinmunson.com