Sharon Hillukka

Sharon Elizabeth (Rice) Hillukka was born on May 17, 1947 in Cokato, Minnesota to Donald and Elma (Jarvi) Rice. She grew up in Cokato until the age of eight and then moved to Minneapolis and graduated from North High School with the Class of 1965. Sharon worked at Western Electric, St. Barnabas Hospital as a candy striper and at Archer Daniels.

On September 12, 1970 Sharon was united in marriage to Wilfred “Butch” Hillukka at Minneapolis Laestadian Church. Their marriage was blessed with nine children: Heidi, Karen, Susan, Kristine, Jodi, Matthew, Benjamin, Jennifer and Kimberly. In 1980 they moved to Sebeka, Minnesota.

Sharon worked seasonal at the Greener Tomorrows in Menahga and Badoura State Tree Nursery. But most of all, Sharon was blessed to be a stay-at-home wife, mother and homemaker. She enjoyed thrift shopping, doing word searches, puzzles, reading mystery and true story books. Sharon loved spending time with her family. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren brought many smiles to her life.

On February 13, 2020 Sharon passed away peacefully at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga, Minnesota, surrounded by her loving family. She will be deeply missed by all her family and friends. Preceded in death by her parents; husband Wilfred; sister Elaine Rice; brother Roland Rice; grandsons Wyatt Hillukka and Cody Reisenauer.

Survived by her children: Heidi (Bryan) Kumpula of Menahga; Karen (Mark) Schultz of Verndale; Susan (Jason) Yliniemi of Park Rapids; Kristine (Tim) Juntunen of Menahga; Jodi ( Brian) Smith of Park Rapids; Matthew (Anna) Hillukka of Menahga; Benjamin Hillukka of Menahga; Jennifer (Peter) Kremer of Park Rapids; Kimberly Hillukka of Menahga; 27 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; numerous other relatives and friends.

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