Sharon M. (Hovey) Holm, age 93, of Atwater, passed away Thursday, May 21, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar, where she has resided for the past three years.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by her funeral service at 12 noon on Saturday, May 30, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Atwater.  Interment will be in Union Cemetery.  Arrangements are entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Atwater Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Sharon Marie Hovey was born on September 2, 1932, at Litchfield Hospital, the fifth child of Irvin and Martha Hovey. She grew up on the family farm four miles south of Atwater, alongside her ten siblings. Sharon was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Atwater.

She began her education in a one-room country schoolhouse (District #42), attending for her first five years, and in 1950 graduated from Atwater High School. Sharon loved school and was active in Girls Athletic Association, cheerleading, vocal and instrumental music, and class plays. During high school she dated her sweetheart, John Holm, and the two could often be found roller skating every Wednesday and Saturday night at the Spicer Roller Rink.

One year after graduating high school, on June 10th of 1951, Sharon and John were married at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Following their marriage, Sharon became a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where she remained faithful until her passing. She served on the altar guild, participated in WELCA, chaperoned youth group trips, and sang tenor in the church choir for many years.

Growing up on the farm with a large family prepared Sharon for a life of service and care. She became the very best wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, homemaker, baker, seamstress, ironing expert, card player, and cook that any family could ask for. She enthusiastically supported and joined John in his many adventures, including hunting, snowmobiling, downhill skiing, motorcycling, fishing, traveling, and countless family gatherings at the Sommar Stuga Green Lake home.

Together, Sharon and John raised four children. She rarely missed an event involving her children and later gave that same devoted support to her grandchildren. Her family was truly her greatest joy.

She is survived by her four children: Debra (Doug) Hanson of Atwater, Vicki (Curt) Johnson of Bellevue, Nebraska, Denise (Kern) Kragenbring of Atwater, and Greg (Kimberly) Holm of Atwater; ten grandchildren; and sixteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Shirley Peterson and Twyla (Jim) Ashburn; and her brothers, Glen (Marsha) Hovey and Wyman Hovey, besides other relatives and many friends.

Sharon was preceded in death by her husband, John; her parents, Irvin and Martha Hovey; four brothers (Kermit, Lloyd, Ole, and Dennis) and two sisters (Norma Buer and Merilyn Johnson).