Sharon L. Pilaczynski

Sharon L. Pilaczynski, age 74 of Walnut Grove, passed away Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at her home surrounded by her family after a two year battle with cancer.  Visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 24, 2021 at Walnut Grove Funeral Home with a prayer service at 3:00 p.m. Interment will be in the Walnut Grove Cemetery.  Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, guests will be required to wear a mask and practice social distancing guidelines. Stephens Funeral Service – Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Sharon Lee Pilaczynski was born August 10, 1946 to Arthur and Christine (Gehring) Sieler in Mounds City, South Dakota.  She was raised in the small town of McIntosh, South Dakota, where she attended public school.  Sharon was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in McIntosh.  She left home as a young adult and landed in Walnut Grove, Minnesota.  There she met the man of her dreams, Gary Pilaczynski.  They were married on October 13, 1972.  Sharon spent her early years raising her family and then transitioned into the workforce.  She was a much loved school bus driver and lunch room lady at the Walnut Grove Public School.  Over the years, Sharon also had many other jobs.  She worked as a bartender at the Walnut Grove American Legion and she also walked beans and detasseled corn.   After retirement, Sharon drove semi for Terry & Lisa.  She was so many things to so many people.  Sharon was a very loud fan at her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events.  She was the neighbor that made people feel like they mattered.  Sharon was a fantastic cook that had all the recipes in her head.  She was a wonderful dog mom to her spoiled Brittany spaniel, Maggie Lee.  She was the Bloody Mary “Queen” to her campground friends.  Sharon loved playing cards with her children and grandchildren as well as her Wednesday afternoon card club ladies.  She loved going to Nellie’s Café for coffee.  Sharon worked tirelessly in her garden and with the bountiful harvest she made fruit jams and canned vegetables that she shared with her family to enjoy.  Sharon’s talents also included quilting and crocheting, which she greatly enjoyed.  One of her favorite activities was having huge holiday feasts with as many of her children and grandchildren as possible in attendance.  There wasn’t anything she couldn’t do if she put her mind to it, because of her strong German will.  Blessed be her memory.

Sharon is survived by her husband Gary of 48 years; children: Roberta Wilber of Hopkins, Lisa (Terry) Dallenbach, Tim Pilaczynski (Amanda Sanders) both of Walnut Grove, and Alan (Becky) Pilaczynski of Luverne; grandchildren: Richard Wilber, Megan Weber, Tarynn Jarmer, Nathan, Mason & London Dallenbach, Gage Pilaczynski, Austin Moser, Coya, Colton & Brandy Pilaczynski; great grandchildren: Isaiah Wilber, Charley & Korey Weber; siblings: Donald Sieler, Joan Bonagofsky, Carol Erickson and Pam Maze; and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents and son Ron Wilber Jr.