Sharon A. Axdahl (Lerud)

Sharon Axdahl, 85 of Devils Lake, ND passed away early Thursday morning, June 20, 2019 at the Eventide Heartland Care Center in Devils Lake. 

Sharon Avonne Lerud, daughter of Alvin and Alice (Bakkan) Lerud was born on July 26, 1933 in Twin Valley, Minnesota. She grew up in Twin Valley and graduated from Twin Valley High School with the class of 1951.  She continued her education at a business college in Fargo, ND. 

Sharon worked for Gunkelman Feed and Seed and Royal Jeweler’s in Fargo.

Sharon would meet her future husband, the love of her life, Leo O. Axdahl in a potato field in Twin Valley. They were united in marriage on May 28, 1955 and established their home and started their family in Moorhead, MN.  

In 1963, the family moved to Devils Lake and Leo became part of Marv and Leo’s Red Owl. Sharon worked as the bookkeeper for the business for many years.  They retired in 1985 and moved to Carson City, NV.  It was a rather unexpected move, but there was a pretty big pay-off (hitting a jackpot on the trip to Nevada) in the end. 

Sharon and Leo loved Nevada and Minnesota, so they were back and forth for many years, building homes and friendships along the way. In 2003, they moved back to Devils Lake and have called it home through the years.

Sharon was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and also taught Sunday School there. She belonged to a very successful bowling league, winning many trophies and traveling throughout the country to tournaments.  She never missed a chance at a good game of cards; Hearts, Canasta, Bridge; and along with the cards, there was always much laughter, good conversation and great fellowship.  She was an excellent cook and with great love and patience she taught her children to cook.

Sharon was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were her pride and joy. Sharon’s love was unconditional, her laughter contagious, her smile brightened the room.  Go in peace into the arms of the Lord.

Sharon is survived by her husband of 64 years, Leo; daughter Jorgee Radtke, sons LeRoy (Mary) Axdahl, Todd (Kay Erickson) Axdahl and Tyler (Katherine) Axdahl all of Devils Lake; grandchildren Kelly (Devin) Kroshus, Callie Jo Streifel, Joshua (Darlene) Streifel-Cassie (Chase) Freidig, Carley (Dylan) Bostic-Nathan Axdahl, Bryce Axdahl, Collin Axdahl; great grandchildren Bridjet, Emma, Dakota, Dominic, Jewel, Lance, Rylynn, Reese, Shelby, Leo and Audrey; in-laws Gin Lerud, Carson City, NV, Sue Lerud, Dubuque, Iowa, Eleanor Lerol, White Bear Lake, MN and Kay Winnans, Bemidji, MN; many beloved nieces, nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Sterling Lerud and Sherman Lerud.

Funeral Services for Sharon will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 12:00 noon at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. 

Sharon is in the care of the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake