Obituary of Sharene Gail Phillips

The world lost one of its most kindhearted souls with the passing of Sharene Gail (Nelson) Phillips of Minneapolis on August 1, 2020. Sharene passed away at the age of 79 after a difficult battle with cancer and surrounded by the family she cared so much about.

Sharene was born on October 27, 1940 to Nels and Lucille (Peterson) Nelson as the youngest of six children. After attending South High School in Minneapolis, she married her childhood sweetheart, Thomas “Tom” Phillips on November 9, 1957. She and Tom had grown up together and Sharene knew from the fourth grade that she would marry Tom. She spent 62 loving years raising a family of one daughter and two sons with Tom.
 

But Sharene’s love wasn’t limited to her family. All that met her felt touched by her big heart and sense of humor. Sharene showed her love through gifts, through her support of family and friends, and through her laughter. Everyone learned quickly when offered something by Sharene, to accept it, because of her joy in giving to others and the fact that she rarely believed you if you said no. If Sharene had something that she saw would bring you happiness, she would give it to you. There was no hesitation in her giving or limit to her generosity.

Sharene’s generosity was also evidenced by the way she cooked enough to feed an army, even as her love of cooking waned; by the way she provided money for everyone to gamble with when they joined her in a game of poker and other gambling games; and by her joy in holidays as she decorated the house and showered neighboring children with full size candy bars on Halloween and her children and grandchildren with gifts on Christmas.

Sharene loved the outdoors, except for the mountains, which she would avoid on road trips even as it added to her mileage. She spent many years with family at the cabin sitting around the campfire and sharing her scary stories with her grandchildren. Before starting a family, Sharene and Tom enjoyed camping, waterskiing, fishing, traveling, and biking. In her younger years, Sharene became a licensed scuba diver but only explored a few lakes with Tom until her doctor told her she had to quit. She was pregnant with her and Tom’s first child. In their later years, they escaped the harsh Minnesota winters by spending time in Florida, where she was nicknamed “Scooter” because of her love for long scooter rides in the warm air.

Sharene worked at Tension Envelope as a machine operator for over 25 years with her husband, other family members, and the co-workers she viewed and cared for as family. In her free time, she began collecting tea cups and knick-knacks, combing through garage sales and flea markets in Minnesota and Florida. Her collection grew so extensive that Tom built her a shelf that took up an entire wall, floor to ceiling, in her dining room.

Even as she battled cancer, Sharene still took joy in the family that surrounded her. She was grateful that she had the opportunity to meet her great-grandsons, as she showered them with love for the past eight months.

Sharene was a wonderful sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her impact on the lives of those around her cannot be overstated. Her infectious laugh, beautiful smile and dimples, and the twinkle in her eyes as she shared stories, will be missed by everyone whose lives she has touched. Sharene was preceded in death by her parents; half-brothers Darold, Torvid, and M. Reese; brother-in-law Norman Dahlen; son-in-law Vyrlyn Pikkarainen; and granddaughter Samantha Kelly.

Sharene is so dearly loved and missed by her husband Tom; children Gailyn Pikkarainen, Thomas (Lorie), and Douglas (Deana); grandchildren Sarah Weigel (Stephen), Stephanie Pikkarainen, Thomas, and Jennifer; great-grandsons Calvin Weigel and Daryl Pikkarainen; sisters Darlene Dahlen and Arlita Frey (Bill); many nieces and nephews; the dear Ann Fleming family and other loving relatives; and friends.

Due to her wishes, there will be no service, but instead we ask that you take a moment to remember the impact that Sharene had in your life and to share that joy with those around you.