Sharon Ann Munsterman

Published March 26, 2025

Sharon Ann Munsterman Sharon Ann Munsterman, 80, of Appleton, Minnesota, died on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at her home. Visitation will be held from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, on Friday, March 21, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Appleton, followed by the Funeral Service at 11:00 am. Burial will be at the West Bank Cemetery at a later date. Zniewski Funeral Home – Vaala Chapel in Appleton is assisting the family with arrangements.

Sharon Ann Munsterman, the daughter of Elmer and Beatrice (Eliason) Ostby Steinke, was born December 8, 1944, in Benson, Minnesota. She was baptized December 26, 1944, at West Bank Lutheran Church and was confirmed at the same altar on June 8, 1958.

Sharon grew up on their family farm in West Bank Township, Swift County, Minnesota. She attended West Bank Country School through sixth grade and then attended school in Appleton, graduating from Appleton High School in 1962.

On May 11, 1963, Sharon married Dennis Munsterman at Big Bend Lutheran Church in Big Bend, Minnesota. Together, they raised four children: Terri, Lori, Mike, and Amy on the family farm north of Appleton. They later divorced. While her children were growing up, Sharon was a homemaker, keeping track of four little ones, sewing some of their clothes, gardening, raising cucumbers for the Gedney company, cooking, baking, and delivering many meals out to the fields. When her youngest went to kindergarten, Sharon went to work in town, holding secretarial/office management positions. Her most recent working years were spent at Shooters in Appleton, where she cooked, served, bartended, and gave a listening ear.

Sharon loved playing the piano and organ. She played the organ for worship services at West Bank as a teenager, and later, occasionally at Trinity Lutheran Church in Appleton. Sharon was a strong woman. She was proud of her Norwegian heritage. She loved Christmas and giving. She was kind and generous, listening to people’s stories, and often giving someone a ride or a little cash if she had it, or an encouraging word. Sharon loved people and believed in the best in all of us.

The most important things in Sharon’s life were her faith and her family.

Sharon is survived by her children: Teresa (John) Norman of St. Joseph, MN, Lori Munsterman of Becker, MN, Michael (Deanne) Munsterman of Appleton, MN, and Amy (Paul) Spinner of St. Croix Falls, WI; ten grandchildren: Mackenzie (Tyler) Gisvold, Kelsey (Jacob) Hruby, Zachary (Michaela) Schlieman, Abigail Villanueva, Morgan (Tanner) Picht, Jack Spinner, Tate Spinner, Josie (Eean Allpress) Munsterman, Joseph Spinner, and Adeline Norman; 15 great-grandchildren; mother Beatrice Steinke; siblings: Eldon (Patty) Ostby of Montevideo, MN, Barbara (Richard) Boelsen of Alexandria, MN, Curtis Ostby of Appleton, MN, JoAnn (Jerry) Lindstrom of Brooten, MN, and Jerry Ostby of Appleton, MN; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Sharon was preceded in death by her granddaughter Elizabeth Ann Norman, father Elmer Ostby, and brother Timothy Ostby.

Blessed be her memory.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to CentraCare Hospice team members Amanda Redepenning, RN, Becky Rheingans, SW, and Maria Tadych, HA. Your skillful, tender, personalized care for Sharon was a gift for us all.