Sharon Rae Bliven

Sharon Bliven, age 86, of Burnsville, MN passed away peacefully on November 15, 2024 with family by her side.

Funeral service will be at 11 AM on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at Holy Emmanuel Lutheran Church - 201 East 104th Street; Bloomington, MN with a visitation beginning at 10 AM. Interment will follow service at Pleasant View Memorial Garden, 200 Highway 13 W.; Burnsville, MN.

Sharon was born on November 27, 1937 to Clarence and Verna (Gillmann) Lehmann in Merrill, Iowa. The oldest daughter of four children, she was known to have an extra spark and brave spirit growing up. Later in life, she was united in marriage to the love of her life Jerry Bliven on February 28, 1956, and they soon began building their family. They lived and raised their family around the country beginning in South Sioux City, Nebraska and then Iowa, then on from there New York to California with several homes in Minnesota in between, finally settling in Minnesota and their current home.

Sharon will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her love of gardening and enjoyment of birds and wildlife right in her own backyard. Her children can attest to that their love and appreciation of animals was gained through her consent to bring home almost any variety of species through the years. She also enjoyed listening to country music especially Willie Nelson, watching sports, calling family members on Sundays for their football picks and NASCAR. She was very proud of her German heritage emphasizing that she was 100% when it came up in conversation. Her kind, nurturing spirit and great sense of humor will be greatly missed by her family and friends. 

Sharon is survived by her husband of over 68 years Jerry; children Julie Gustason, Jerry "Dave" Bliven, and Jane Sundin; daughter-in-law Lisa Bliven; grandchildren Jennifer Gustason, Em Gustason, Erin (Steve) Towey, Andrew (Nicole) Bliven, Jared Sundin, Cameron (Lauren) Sundin, and Jacob Bliven; great grandchildren Lucas, Wesley and Amelia Bliven, Hannah and Connor Towey; siblings Darrell (Lorraine) Lehmann, Darlene (Larry) Meadors and Carole Dowling and several nieces and nephews. Sharon is preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Verna Lehmann and son Daniel Paul Bliven.

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