Sharon Noyes Eliasen

life story

Sharon Eliasen: A loving mother and community supporter

Sharon Noyes Eliasen of Grand Marais, MN, died on Friday, October 27, 2023, at the Twin Ports Health Services in Superior, WI, after a brave struggle with liver disease.

Sharon was born on August 2, 1938, in Austin, MN, to Carl and Phyllis Noyes. She arrived in Cook County as a teenager when her parents purchased Chik Wauk Lodge on the Gunflint Trail (Saganaga Lake), and she lived in Cook County ever since.

She married John Henry Eliasen, Jr, in 1957, and soon thereafter they purchased Clearwater Lodge on the Gunflint Trail, where they began to raise a family of four children. They were married for 61 years.

In addition to her central roles as wife and mother, Sharon contributed to the community by volunteering her time to many organizations: Camp Fire Girls, Cub Scouts, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Grand Marais Playhouse, Cook County Historical Society, and the Taste of the Gunflint Trail cookbook.

She assisted many family transitions in a multitude of homes by sorting through their possessions and running estate sales, and this led to her starting Magpie Antiques, which she enjoyed for over 20 years.

One of Sharon’s last contributions to the community was through volunteering at Oddz & Endz, which became her best place to stay busy, see people, and be part of a great team helping to make an important financial contribution to Cook County.

She enjoyed “doing” and “helping,” and her peppy spirit will be missed by many!

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Phyllis Noyes, and husband, John Henry Eliasen, Jr. She is survived by her daughters Janis (Bud) Viren, Christy (Steve) Lindell, Karin (Moshe) Bronstein, and son Donn (Geri Heston) Eliasen; granddaughters Mia (Victor Oleinikov) Lindell, Berit (Sam Ennis) Lindell; grandson Matthew (Angel) Viren; great-grandsons Pierce, Johnathan, and Gunnar; sister, Carole (Steve) Quaife; and siblings-in-law Barbara Brown, Ruth Anne Tice, and James (Liz) Eliasen.

A private memorial will be planned in summer of 2024.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff at the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, and for the outstanding care she received at Twin Ports Health Services in Superior, WI.

Charitable donations in Sharon's memory can be made to Oddz & Endz and Grand Marais Playhouse.