Sharon Mann

Sharon (Pierce) Mann

Nov. 1, 1934 - June 27, 2023

ST. PAUL, MN - Sharon died on June 27, 2023, in St, Paul, MN, surrounded by her family. Sharon was born in Moline, IL on November 1, 1934. Preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, Arthur (Art) Harold Mann, Jr.

The young family originally lived in Davenport, IA. Art raved about the beauty of Madison so much that Sharon finally told him to "put up or shut up", and they moved to Madison in the summer of 1962. Turns out Sharon thought Madison was pretty wonderful too, serving as an informal ambassador and daughter of the city for friends from the United States and around the world. Art and Sharon were committed Madison residents, involved in the community as educators, election judges, patrons of the local Arts community, and of course, ardent supporters of their beloved WI Badgers. Family events were carefully planned around all Madison had to offer. Art might have grown up in Madison and graduated from UW-Madison, but Sharon was a true believer in the magic of Madison.

Sharon graduated from Augustana College, Rock Island, IL in 1956. She worked as an educator in Illinois, Montana and Iowa (where she met Art) and later served as a highly sought after substitute teacher in the Madison Metropolitan School District. Sharon knew how to build confidence in young teachers, laughing and teasing them, giving them courage to face even the most challenging high school students.

Sharon had an adventurous and curious spirit (a bit of a wild child as we came to learn), which she passed on to her children and grandchildren. She was always game for a new experience or opportunity to learn. Sharon spent six glorious summers as a young adult working in the business office of St. Mary Lodge and Resort, adjacent to Glacier National Park. Sharon returned many times to share the splendor of her beloved mountains with her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter.

Sharon, Art, and their children vacationed in Door County, WI, camping in Peninsula State Park for many years. The tradition continued as Sharon's and Art's children and their children (along with numerous friends), and Sharon's sister and family would meet every August for a week of camping. In later years, no longer camping, Sharon and Art still joined the family staying nearby. Sharon continued to hike her favorite trails, climb the observation tower, picnic at Welcker's Point, and enjoy the sunset from numerous vantage points into her 80's.

Also, in her later years, Sharon traveled extensively, exploring both near and far with her children and grandchildren. When she was no longer able to travel, she would send us off with a bit of extra money in exchange for the promise of pictures and stories of our adventures.

Sharon was a passionate and dedicated supporter of the National Parks and Wisconsin State Parks. She loved to be outdoors, walking, gardening, listening to the birds, even shoveling snow.

Sharon is survived by her children: Kathryn Mann Arnott (Stephen Arnott), Mary Mann, and James Mann (Cheryl Boehle): grandchildren Erik (Sydney Anderson), Kelsey, and Nissa Bredesen, Olivia Prendergast (Pete Mason), Abigail, and Nicole Mann; great-granddaughter, Anella Birch; her sister Nancy Pierce (George) Hamouz, two nieces and a nephew.

Please direct any memorials to the Glacier National Park Conservancy, the Friends of Peninsula State Park, or other WI State Park Friends groups.