Sharon Lindberg

Sharon Lindberg was a generous and loving person. Compassionate and caring, perhaps the greatest legacy that she leaves behind is the family she so loved. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

The 1960s were characterized by great social changes. Known as the era of optimism, many Americans believed they were standing at the dawn of a golden age. At the beginning of this promising decade in our nation’s history, Donald and Bernice Luxford welcomed home their newborn daughter, Sharon Rose, on March 8, 1961, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her birth gave them much hope and happiness. Later joined by her younger brother, Dennis, they became the best of friends.

Growing up on Fairfield Ave NW, Sharon lived a typical childhood of the times. Her dad worked at Michcon Gas Company and her mom worked at Michigan Bulb. The family were active members of Holy Spirit Parish. During her developing years, she loved riding bikes, fishing, and spending as much time as she could outdoors. She especially loved to explore the woods while searching for rocks along the trails. Camping was a highlight of these years. Ambitious and driven, she attended school at Holy Spirit and later went to West Catholic High School. During her high school years. Sharon worked at Mr. Burger where she made many lasting friendships. After graduation, she entered the world of work at MichCon Gas Company where she worked as a dispatcher for over twenty years before she retired.

Not to be forgotten was the meeting of Edwin Lindberg, the man who would steal her heart! The two of them had both been working in the service dispatch office for MichCon and hit it off! Sharing many commonalities and eager to settle down, the two of them joined in marriage on June 19, 1981, in the judge’s office in Lansing. Eventually, they planned a special ceremony in the Parish of the Holy Spirit where they exchanged vows. They took a romantic camping honeymoon trip to Florida, before settling back in Walker. Later they lived in Grandville before buying a house on Seventh Street NW. They enjoyed camping together and frequented many beautiful parks around Michigan. They also enjoyed the Maritimes/ East Coast, some national parks out west, as well as New Orleans. Ed and Sharon also visited Washington, D.C., and a Lake Huron Circle Tour among others. Together, they raised two wonderful children, Eddie and Jessica.

As a mother, Sharon was a very thoughtful and giving mother. She made every holiday important and special. Her kids always remember that she went all out on their birthdays and often hosted parties each year that included their extended family. As they grew up, both Eddie and Jessica were especially close with her. They leaned on her wisdom and guidance and always trusted in her advice. As a family, they took their kids on several camping trips and traveled to Newfoundland, Quebec, many National Parks, and New York City. Her children never doubted her love for them.

In their later years, Sharon and Ed continued their love of travel. They toured the Black Hills, Canada, and returned to New Orleans and Florida. They were seasonal campers at the White River Campground in Whitehall for many years where they built many close friendships over the years. Being a grandmother filled her heart with joy. Sidalee and Mason were the apples of her eye. She loved to spoil them and shared lots of laughter whenever they were together. Sharon remained devoted to her faith and prayed the rosary daily. In 2003, she suffered a brain aneurysm that had been misdiagnosed as a brain tumor. Sharon healed after treatment and leaned on her faith to pull her through these challenging times. She and Ed built a beautiful life together until he passed in 2018.

Sharon was lucky to find love again when she met, Gary Murphy online. They had become special companions over their four years together. She and Gary were exploring new recipes and hobbies together. She enjoyed sharing her love of music and watching movies. Some of her favorites were any Coen Brothers movies; such as O Brother, Where Art Thou, Fargo, Blues Brothers, and Escanaba in the Moonlight. Sharon also enjoyed her time spent hiking, gardening, and spending time outdoors. Above all else, she enjoyed the company of people, especially her family.

Sadly, she is gone too soon. Described as a person with a colorful personality, eclectic, and fun-loving, Sharon will be deeply missed by her close friends and special family. May they always reflect fondly on the joy she brought to their lives and may her memories be eternal.

Sharon Rose Lindberg (Luxford), age 63, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. She was born on March 8, 1961, to the late Donald and Bernice Luxford. Sharon attended Grand Rapids Union High School and graduated in 1979. She met her husband, Edwin Lindberg in February of 1981 and married him five months later. Together, the couple welcomed two children, Edwin and Jessica. They were married for 37 years until her husband’s passing in 2018.

Sharon was truly one of a kind. A self-proclaimed, “child of the seventies,” Sharon was a free spirit who was always the life of the party. She enjoyed traveling, bowling, singing karaoke, and loved spending time outdoors. She was a woman of great faith with strong religious convictions. Sharon was a jack-of-all-trades who enjoyed crafting, and wood-working. Most recently, Sharon was working on constructing a cabin in Muskegon on the banks of the Muskegon River with her partner, Gary. She loved being a grandmother to her two grandchildren, Sidalee and Mason, and cheering them on at their sporting events.

Sharon is survived by her children, Edwin (Samantha) Lindberg, and Jessica (Austen) TenHopen; grandchildren, Sidalee and Mason TenHopen; and her beloved partner of four years, Gary Murphy. She was preceded in death by her husband; brother, Dennis Luxford; and her parents.

Visitation will be held Monday, February 17, 2025, at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. N.W., Grand Rapids, from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm, with a rosary at 7:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 202,5 at Holy Spirit Parish, 2230 Lake Michigan Drive NW, Grand Rapids, at 11 am. Friends may greet the family from 10 am until the time of Mass. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 2000 Walker NW, Grand Rapids. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Sharon’s name to Holy Spirit Parish. Please visit www.heritagelifestory.com to share a favorite memory, or photo, or to sign the virtual guestbook.