Sharon Ann (Ruttum) Filholm, 79, of Brookings, died Friday, June 30, 2017, at the United Living Community in Brookings.
Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, where Sharon was a long time parishioner and dedicated volunteer. Her family will be hosting a celebration of her life at Rude’s Funeral Home on Wednesday from 5 to 7:00 p.m.
Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Seven was Sharon’s lucky number: she was the seventh child of Anton and Elsie Ruttum, born in Hendricks, Minn., on the seventh day of the seventh month of 1937. Raised in Astoria, she earned her licensed practical nursing certification in Pierre.
She married Douglas Filholm in Brookings on Oct. 20, 1958, and proved herself a fine wife immediately, bagging two pheasants on the fly in one shot while on their honeymoon.
Sharon looked back fondly at her career of helping people: she worked at 3M for 15 years helping produce medical products and as an LPN in her early adult years. She and Doug also owned the Second Hand Store on Main Street in Brookings, where she established lasting friendships with other merchants and customers.
Sharon, indeed, was friend to all she met. Her infectious laugh, gift of “gab”, warm smile and genuine compassion were known to many, including those she volunteered with at the Police Auxiliary, United Way, Catholic Daughters, Legion Auxiliary, and AA. She was very proud of her 31 years of sobriety and touched many lives as a mentor and sponsor, including those of refugee families and inmates at the county jail.
She loved bawdy jokes and music; she taught herself piano, sang in the church choir and could not listen to the radio without tapping her foot in time. She was a fun and loving mother to five, grandmother to 14, and great-grandma to a lucky seven.
She leaves a legacy of kindness and community, having taught her family by example the values of forgiveness, honesty, cooperation, positive thinking and a sense of humor.
Sharon is survived by her loving husband, Doug of Brookings; daughter, Jacquelyn (James) McCord of Brookings; four sons, Michael and Anthony Filholm of Brookings, Patrick (Elizabeth) Filholm of Warner-Robins, Ga., and Talwin (Lisa Lane) Filholm of Denver; 14 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Esther Dawson of Columbus, Ohio; a brother-in-law, Dave (Carolyn) Filholm of Huron and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Talwin Ruttum, Wayne Ruttum and Richard Ruttum; sisters, Audrey Nelson and Irene Orrick; seven brothers-in-law, seven sisters-in-law and a daughter-in-law, Nancy Filholm.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.
