Sharlene Merle (Heston) Letourneau

life story

Our Shining Star

Sharlene loved Life and Family. She was memorable for her welcoming attitude, bountiful spirit and energy, and her kindness.

Our shining star, Sharlene, 90, left us peacefully on Thursday, July 23. She had suffered a stroke in early June, and fought hard to recover. During that time, she had so many visits from family and friends, it left the hospital staff in wonder. It came down to a simple fact: Sharlene loved people and in turn, was very-much loved.

Sharlene was born on February 14, 1936, in Chicago, IL. She moved to Gunflint Lake in 1943, with her parents, Myrl and Peggy Heston, where they operated Heston's Border Lodge for many years. Sharlene loved her home on Gunflint Lake and loved entertaining, especially when all her kids, grandkids and great grandkids were surrounding her. She loved her cat, Crazy Daisy and her many grand-dogs, also! Her favorite pastime was canoeing in her cedar strip canoe, and she is probably in her canoe now, watching over her family. She was the last Elder of the Gunflint Trail.

Sharlene is preceded in death by her parents, Myrl and Peggy Heston, her 1st husband, Chuck Gecas, 2nd husband, Bill Zickrick, and 3rd husband, Jim Letourneau, and one grandchild, Zed David. She is survived by her children, Gerilynne (Donn Eliasen) Heston, Greg (Barb) Gecas, and Jeff (Susan) Gecas, all of Grand Marais, and Tom Cleary, California, step-children, Ray (Andy) Zickrick, GM, Linda O'Connor, Lisa (Mike) Clarey, Chad David, Fairbanks, AK, 11 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Sharlene spent her last three weeks under the fantastic care of the North Shore Living Care Center in Grand Marais.

A Celebration of Life will be held for her Wednesday, August 12th, from 3-5 at the Schaap Community Center on the Gunflint Trail (Mid-Trail Fire Hall, on Poplar lake).

Please join us as we share in the memories of this sweet lady.

Memorials should be directed to the Gunflint Trail Fire Department