Sharon Higgins, 60, died Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, April 11, 2011 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Rob Kopp officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM on Monday, April 11, 2011 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls.

A Graveside service for Sharon will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at Poplar Grove Cemetery in Grand Marais, MN.

Sharon Irene Christiansen Higgins was born on August 12, 1950 at the Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis, MN, the daughter of Don and Ann (Kassube) Christiansen. Sharon was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran Faith and attended school at Coon Rapids High School in Coon Rapids, MN.

After high school Sharon was united in marriage to Jim Finke on April 29, 1968 in Watertown, SD. To this union four children were born: Lisa, Brian, Dean, and Troy. They made their home in the Minneapolis area and in Grand Marais, MN.

Throughout her life Sharon worked in the Grand Marais area as a blackjack dealer and waitress, and as a dietary aide at North Shore Hospital.

Sharon will be remembered as a lady who liked to do everything for everybody. While working full-time, she was active teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and enjoyed her role as a Cub Scout leader and Girl Scout leader. Sharon was also involved in Tupperware sales, winning a car for her achievements.

Whether it was cooking, baking, or canning, Sharon was always preparing something wonderful for her family and friends. Her kitchen was regularly filled with their favorites which her family would seek out while visiting. They will especially miss the large variety of Christmas cookies she made each year.

In 2010 Sharon moved to Thief River Falls to be closer to her family. Although she lived in Thief River Falls for a short time, she touched many people while she was here. Sharon attended church at United Methodist Church. She quickly became involved with church activities there and developed a church family which became very important to her.

Sharon will be remembered as a hard working and loving Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, Sister, Aunt, and Friend.

Sharon is survived by her children, Lisa Finke of Thief River Falls, MN, Brian Finke of Grand Marais MN, and Dean Finke of Mahnomen, MN; grandchildren, Ashley Finke of Thief River Falls, MN, Shanel Finke of Climax, MN, Samantha Dahl of Thief River Falls, MN, Krista Dahl of Thief River Falls, MN, Leah Peters of Duluth, MN, Brian Bubba Finke Jr. of Grand Marais, MN, Chance Finke of Grand Marais, MN, Aniah Finke, Desi Finke, and Ciara Finke, all of Mahnomen, MN; Great-grandchildren, Jakody Lewis, Isaiah Shockly, and Chloe Peters; brother and sisters, Richard Dick Christiansen and his wife Ellie of Grand Marais, MN, Dianne Dee Dee Hamre and her husband David of McIntosh, MN, and Bonnie Sue Christiansen of Page, ND; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

Preceding Sharon in death is her son, Troy Finke; grandson, Matthew Finke; her parents, Don and Ann Christiansen; the father of her children, Jim Finke; uncle, Bob Christiansen; niece Darlene, her husband, Keith Peters and their daughter, Bree.