Sharon Ann Irwin

Sharon Ann Irwin, 80, of Mankato passed away on Sunday May 26^th, 2024, at the Benedictine Living Center, The Villa, In Red Wing MN, surrounded by her immediate family.

Visitation will be held at Northview North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce D, North Mankato on Tuesday June 4^th, 2024, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday June 5^th, 2024, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 1123 Marsh Street, Mankato with a visitation starting at 10:00am. Lunch will be provided following the Memorial Service on Wednesday and private burial will be at a later date.

Sharon was born on July 23^rd, 1943, in Denver Colorado to Marcil and Lorraine (Mallow) Paseka. She grew up Moorhead, MN and graduated from Moorhead High School in 1961.

On August 1^st, 1964, she married her sweetheart, Robert Wayne Irwin in Moorhead, MN. Together they had two sons, Paul and James. They started their life together in Hazen, North Dakota before moving to Duluth in 1967 where Bob began his career with Walgreens. They moved to Mankato in 1978 where Bob was the store Manager and Pharmacist with Walgreens. Sharon began working at the Boot and Shoe store in the Mankato Mall in 1978. In 1980, Sharon began a lengthy career helping children and teachers as a Special Education Paraprofessional for ISD 77.  Roosevelt Elementary school in west Mankato and later Hoover Elementary in upper North Mankato saw Sharon bring her organizational skills, patience, and love for helping kids with various levels of learning disabilities. strong advocate for “her kids” Sharon also worked hard with the Minnesota School Employees Association to insure the best for Paraprofessionals.

Throughout her life Sharon was a devoted, dedicated wife and mother.  Supporting and leading her family, Sharon was heavily involved in youth sports. Whether coaching T-Ball, driving the boys to all levels of sporting events and practices, organizing parents to support their teams, or just “keeping book” Sharon was always there. For many years she worked side by side with her husband Bob in support of his roles with the Mankato Area Youth Baseball Association (MAYBA) and Mankato chapter of the United States Bowling Congress (USBC). In 2022 Sharon was recognized by the Mankato Area Bowling Hall of Fame for her many years of bowling and supporting bowling in Mankato.

Sharon enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, playing cards, golfing, bowling, and attending Maverick hockey games. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s activities, wherever they were; and she relished every moment she got with her “Littles”; her five great grandchildren.

She especially loved her family and treasured hosting family gatherings for Thanksgiving and Christmas for many years when the boys, grandchildren and great-grandchildren would all be home. Long hours playing games with the whole family were always enjoyed by all.

Sharon is survived by her son; Paul (Melissa) Irwin of Red Wing Minnesota and their children, son, Dixon (Taylor) Irwin, and daughter Mackenzie; her son James (Ellana) Irwin of Farmington Minnesota and their children, son Derrick (Lauren)  and their children, Theodore, Oliver, Emelia, Jackson and Andrew,  daughter Kylia (fiancé Chris) Irwin, and daughters Isabella and Scarlett Garthune; her sisters Lynette Peterson, Debbie Barnum and Brenda (Lyngaas) Schander, her brother in laws, Jon Irwin, Ron Irwin and sister in law Janice Thorson; along with many nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-six years, Robert “Bob” Irwin; her father Marcil Paseka, mother Lorraine (Mallow) Paseka, brothers-in-law, Larry Peterson, Larry Lyngaas, and nephews Bradley Thorson and Lance Lyngaas.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Sharon’s honor to the Mankato Area Foundation; Helping Teachers, Helping Students Fund that provides grants to teachers for purchasing school supplies.

Sharon and family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and other support staff with Mayo Clinic Hospice Care and Benedictine Living Center, The Villa, In Red Wing MN.