Sharon Marie Berven

Sharon Marie Berven passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, November 14, 2025, at the age of 87. Born Sharon Marie Renlund to parents Holger and Lillian, she along with her younger brother, Doug, attended Longfellow Elementary, Sanford Junior High, and South High School in Minneapolis. In 1960, she married Richard Peter Berven. Together, they had four daughters: Leise, Heidi, Rachel, and Erica. She worked as a bookkeeper, an assistant tax adviser, and later, in semi-retirement, as a floral assistant for A. Johnson Florist in St. Paul. Sharon remained a committed life-long South High alumna, participating in regular gatherings and events. She enjoyed gardening, professional figure skating, reading complex world history books as well as celebrity gossip magazines. She loved betting on horse races and playing cards. Sharon played piano all her life, and adored jazz music and show tunes. She was a world traveler, visiting family in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore; she explored dozens of historical sites within the United States for many years through St. Paul Community Education bus tours. She was an avid bicyclist, pedalling around town until she was nearly 80 years old. She is survived by her four children, their partners, and grandchildren Richard, Madeline, and William, and great-granddaughter Evie. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, and her beloved husband, Richard, as well as kitties Stub, Chet, and Knuckyhead. She was well loved and will be dearly missed.

At Sharon's request, there will be no public funeral or celebration of life. Memorial gifts in her honor can be made to the American Indian College Fund (https://collegefund.org).