Sharon J. Mitteness

Sharon J. Mitteness

Sharon Joan Mitteness, died Saturday morning, October 3, 2026, at the Sanctuary of Brooklyn Center assisted living. Visitation will be held  Friday, October 23, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson, Minnesota, followed by the funeral at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow the service at the St. Bridget's Catholic Church Cemetery in DeGraff.  

Sharon Joan (Hendrickson) Mitteness was born November 5, 1938, to Lawrence and Elsie (Draheim) Hendrickson along with her identical twin sister (Shirley), in Benson. She was raised in Benson and was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson and graduated from Benson High School. Sharon was united in marriage to William Charles “Bill” Mitteness on February 27, 1960, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St Cloud. They were blessed with four children: Chris, Greg, Julie, and Scott. Sharon and Bill moved from Minnesota to Louisiana in 1962 due to Bill’s job. They lived in Louisiana, where Sharon was mostly a stay-at-home mom, until 1974 when they moved and made their home in Anoka, MN. Sharon worked at the Anoka County Courthouse for 20 years, until her retirement in 1998. At that time, she and Bill moved back to Benson to enjoy their retirement years.

Sharon was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and enjoyed spending time with her family. She was an avid sports fan, especially watching her sons play in football, basketball, and baseball games; she was their biggest fan! Once retired, she enjoyed meeting her friends at the Benson Bakery for coffee, most weekday mornings. Getting out to do “something” (a ride in the country, a visit with a friend, a shopping trip, etc.) was fun for her. She enjoyed cooking, decorating and making the holidays special. She and Bill were members of St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson where they volunteered their time to help where and when needed. Sharon continued that tradition of volunteering, even after Bill’s passing.

Later in life, Sharon moved back to the Twin Cities to live with her son Greg. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, sharing movie outings, dinners, shopping trips, and manicures with her granddaughters. Sharon also had a special love for animals, especially her beloved dogs and grand-dogs. One of Sharon's greatest joys was becoming a great-grandmother. She was overjoyed to meet her first great-grandchild, Aria, whom she loved deeply and cherished every moment she was able to spend with her. Sharon's fun-loving spirit, adventurous nature, warm heart, and zest for life touched everyone who knew her. Her infectious smile and genuine enjoyment of people will be remembered and missed by family, friends, and all whose lives she brightened.

Sharon is survived by her sons Chris (Mary) of Andover, MN, Greg of Blaine, MN, and Scott (Sandy) of Anoka, MN; grandchildren Ashley (Adam) of Fridley, MN, Britany of Fridley, MN, Alec (Serena) of St Cloud, MN, and Thomas of Anoka, MN; great-granddaughter Aria of Fridley, MN. Also survived by nieces, nephews, and friends, including the new friends she made during her stay at The Sanctuary in Brooklyn  Center.

Sharon was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, William “Bill” Mitteness; her beloved daughter Julie Ann Mitteness; her parents Lawrence and Elsie Hendrickson; all of her siblings…brothers: Dillon Hendrickson, Leroy Hendrickson, and Charles Hendrickson and sisters: Donna Carlson, Shirley Mitteness, Mona Welker, Margaret Cota, and Mildred “Millie” Christopherson; as well as brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Zniewski Funeral Home in Benson is assisting the family with the arrangements.