Sharon Thompson passed away in her sleep early on October 10, 2023. Sharon was a long-time resident of Andover, Minnesota and a seasonal resident of Fifty Lakes.

She was born on September 16, 1946, in Rochester Minnesota, to Hilmer and Thelma (Richards) Thompson. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. After college she continued a long, family tradition by joining the U.S. Navy in 1970 and rose to the rank of Lt. Commander. While with the Navy she served in Kingsville, Texas, as a personnel officer and had many opportunities to ride in jets. From there she went to Newport, Rhode Island and was an instructor and training officer, and later was an officer recruiter in Minneapolis. Sharon loved her Navy career but chose to put it aside in 1981 when her parents needed her back home due to their declining health. She also ran her own woodworking and cabinetry business for 11 years. Sharon joined the Anoka County Park Service as a park ranger in 1992, working at Bunker Hills Regional Park. She was also a lead ranger with the newly created mounted patrol office, a job she dearly loved.

Sharon loved fishing, casinos, gardening, woodworking, and arguing. She had strong opinions and didn't hesitate to share them or to persuade you she was right. Sharon loved traveling, especially to New England and Lake Superior's North Shore. She even climbed Italy's Mount Vesuvius.

Sharon is survived by her partner of 40 years, Edith Tray; and Edith's family, Judith Johnson, Jennifer Bard, Donald Bross; Edith's sister, Roberta Tray; her cousins, Joan Lovelace and Clark Thompson; and by many long-time friends including, Lynda Rearick, John Wandmaker and family.

At her request, Sharon was cremated; there was no public service. In lieu of flowers, Edith and the family ask that you make a memorial donation to the Animal Legal Defense Fund (www.aldf.org) or to the animal charity of your choice.