Sharon I. Thomas

Sharon Thomas, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away on July 25, 2025, surrounded by her three daughters. Born on June 13, 1945, in Prairie View Township to Fred and Irene (Braton) Scheffler, she was the fourth of five daughters. The family later settled in Barnesville, where Sharon attended school and graduated from Barnesville High School in 1963.

After completing cosmetology school in Minneapolis, Sharon returned to Barnesville to raise her family and run a home-based business. Later in life, she found her true calling as a client coordinator at Red River Recovery Center, where she compassionately helped others rebuild their lives for over 20 years.

Family was the cornerstone of Sharon’s life. She raised her three daughters to be strong and independent, and was an extraordinary grandmother to her ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Sharon was the heart of many cherished family traditions—from summer lake vacations celebrating every grandchild’s birthday to her magical Christmas gatherings that filled the home with joy and wonder.

Sharon also had an adventurous spirit and a deep love for travel. Whether cruising through foreign countries with friends or road-tripping across the U.S. with her family, she embraced every opportunity to explore new places, savor good food, and laugh deeply. She passed that love for adventure on to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, proudly marking each journey with a new pin on her travel maps and a coffee mug to commemorate the experience.

For over 60 years, Sharon shared an unbreakable bond with her two best friends, Judy Erdmann and Sharon Lewis. Together they celebrated milestones, supported each other through life’s ups and downs, and enjoyed countless coffee dates and unforgettable adventures. And when Bison football was on, everything else took a back seat—Sharon was always ready to cheer on her favorite team.

Though Sharon is no longer with us, her warmth, wit, and ability to turn everyday moments into treasured memories will live on in all who knew her. So raise a coffee mug—or a shot of Fireball—in her honor, and remember to celebrate life’s adventures just as she did.

Sharon is survived by her three daughters: Lisa (Mike) Tokach of Abilene, KS; Leah (Jason) Hanson of Webster, ND; and Stephanie (Tarek Salem) Thomas of St. Michael, MN; ten grandchildren: Morgan (Tanner) Paine, Pilar (Peder) Dritzmith, Cole (Mary Gorman) Hanson, Sage (Miguel Dooley) Tokach, Rogan Tokach, Mason (Erin) Hanson, Isabel (Anthony Miccio) Dritz, Fiona (Nathan Lintz) Tokach, Forrest (Maggie Peterson) Hanson, and Egan (Elizabeth Chapman) Dritz; and great-grandchildren: Charlie and Bennie Paine and a new grand baby due any day. She is also survived by her sisters: Ivy Olson, Sandy Heglie, and Linda (Dean) Curfman; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Irene Scheffler; her sister, Janice Motschenbacher; and brothers-in-laws, Wes Motschenbacher, Tom Olson and Rod Heglie.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, from 10-1 with a time of celebration at 11:00 AM at the Event Center in Barnesville. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation to create life-changing wishes for children.