Sharon Robertson (Johnstone)

Sharon Rose Robertson of Ketchikan, AK passed away at age 77, with her daughter and family in Elk River, MN on December 16, 2023 after a long battle with dysautonomia.

Sharon was born in Ketchikan, AK to father Bruce Johnstone and mother Norma Crosby Johnstone. She grew up in a in a remote family-owned logging camp on the East side of Prince of Wales Island near Ketchikan with her older sister Jenny, older brother Bruce & younger brother Jack. During that time she and her siblings lived in a floathouse and grew up with the SE Alaska land as their playground and classroom, spending their days hiking, swimming, climbing trees & beach-combing. This is where she began growing to be the naturalist at heart that she was.

Sharon later attended and graduated high school in Ketchikan. When she was 18, she moved to MN to live with her mother and stepfather David Moon (who had welcomed two more sisters Bobby, Rae and later Jeannie). This is when she started to learn about the Bible’s teachings from her mother and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1965. That same year, she met and married her first husband, Ken Rafter. They welcomed 2 children, Liesl (1969) and Brian (1971).

In 1975, Sharon and her children returned to Alaska where she met her second husband, artist Ernest Robertson, father to her son Clint (1979).

Sharon was a talented artist and naturalist who had a deep, quiet love for our Creator and His creation. In a word, Sharon was gentle. She was accepting of everyone, always helping people feel welcome and safe. She was known for her kind, calm spirit and gift for always treating others with dignity. She taught her children how to respect and love others through her tireless example as an excellent mother, aunt, grandmother, wife and friend. She was a safe haven for many, especially the young people whose lives she touched - many fondly remember her as someone who encouraged their artistic expression, creativity and appreciation for all of creation. She provided a warm and quiet place to read, draw and eat cinnamon toast. Sharon loved teaching others about the beauty of Jehovah God’s creation and how to capture its essence in the form of art.

Her kindness also extended to many wild creatures who needed a place to rest and recover. Sharon was known to feed peanut butter sandwiches to squirrels.

Sharon was known for creating beauty wherever she went, often with little means. Her love of plants, seashells, birds and butterflies and her artwork made her home like a beautiful museum and arboretum to visit… and sometimes a wildlife refuge as well.

Sharon was also an excellent cook. Her recipes will live on in her family until we can all feast on her BBQ salmon and shrimp dipped in butter together once again.

Her love for and loyalty to Jehovah God (Ps. 83:18) continued throughout her life as she suffered from health issues until her faithful death. She died trusting in the Bible’s promise of a near-future paradise Earth once again ruled by God’s kingdom, where there will be no more sickness, death or sorrow (Rev 21:3,4) and a resurrection of the dead. (Is 26:19). For those that Sharon was able to say goodbye to, she said, “I want to see you when I wake up. Please be there”. She wished all to come to know Jehovah and His coming Kingdom, and to benefit from His loving kindness.

Sharon was preceded in death by her brother Jack Johnstone, stepfather David Moon, mother Norma Moon, father Bruce Johnstone, aunts and uncles and her son Brian Rafter.

She is survived by her brother Bruce Johnstone (wife Judy), sisters Jenny Betterton (husband Daryl), Bobby Bean, Rae Morris (husband John) and Jeannie Abbott, daughter Liesl Henz (husband Scott), son Clint Robertson, grandchildren Aarich, Rainier (husband Raul), Evan, Aiden, Penny, great grandchildren Fox and Everest Moon as well as many nieces, nephews, family and loyal friends.

Sharon’s Memorial service will be held via Zoom video service on:

Saturday, February 3, 2024

3pm AKST / 6pm CST

Contact Scott Henz 612-298-7557 for Zoom Login information

In lieu of flowers or donations, Sharon would’ve loved you to spend time with someone who needs an ear or shelter from this world and encourage them with the beauty of Jehovah’s creation, including his loving letter to mankind, the Bible. Always look for the good in them and make them feel safe and loved. Show them a sunset and tell them how it’s a gift from a God that loves them. Or visit www.jw.org to find encouragement and hope for a better world soon to come.