After a life of love and quiet grace, Sharon Jean Ordahl of Wahpeton, ND has passed.
Below, a small portrait of a life that will not soon be forgotten.
Sharon held deeply to the Lutheran faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
Some find their compass in faith. Sharon was among them.
Sharon Jean Dietzler Ordahl passed away peacefully under the loving care of the amazing staff at St. Catherines in Wahpeton, ND, with care provided by CHI Hospice.
Sharon was born to Georgia and Clarence Dietzler of Milnor, ND, on October 5, 1941. She was the second of four children. Sharon was baptized, confirmed, and married at the Milnor Lutheran Church in Milnor, ND, where her Celebration of Life will be held. She attended Milnor Public School, where she was a proud member of the Milnor Marching Band, playing the Bass Clarinet while wearing her wool uniform and tall hat. One of her favorite childhood memories are of picking rocks in the field with her friend Pat and even getting paid $.25 a day (she would have done it for free because it was so fun!). Sharon was a lake lover. When she was a little girl, her parents and grandparents would vacation at different MN lakes until they finally settled on South Turtle Lake, where they built a cabin in the 1950's. Sharon and Donnie then purchased the cabin next door in the 1960's that is still enjoyed by the following and future generations. Sharon and Donnie spent every moment they could there, making memories with family and friends, teaching empathy, caring, and love for all human kind. Sharon grew up in her parents Super Valu grocery store, marking cans with a wax crayon and bagging groceries. After graduating from Milnor Public School in 1960, she attended Jamestown College for Secretarial. She married Donald Ordahl on April 14, 1961, and due to an April blizzard, they were only able to make it to Wahpeton, where they honeymooned. They purchased a big house on Main Street, which was then named the Ordahl addition in Milnor, where they went on to fill it with six children. Sharon was an amazing homemaker, making treats and goodies not just for her family but for anyone who stopped by for a cup of coffee and conversation. She babysat many families' children and even took in a family of four children for two years, while already having four of her own. Sharon was a lover of babies and children of all ages and would regularly hand out dollar bills to kids at stores to buy a treat, or ask if they needed a hug, always with a bright, warm smile. Sharon's door was always open to anyone who needed it, providing a hot meal and a warm bed to anyone who knocked on the door. Sharon never met a stranger, her smile and big brown eyes were a beacon for anyone needing a bit of love or care. If you were needing water found on your property, she would witch your well and tell you how deep and where to drill. After they retired, they downsized to an apartment in Milnor where they lived for 14 years until Donnie's passing in 2014. Sharon moved back into the family home with her son, Gary (who now owns the home), where she lived for the next 12 years until moving to Wahpeton in St. Catherines Nursing Home, where she passed away.
Sharon will be greatly missed by her children, Kimberly (Lonnie) Vatnsdal of Roseau, MN, Gary Ordahl of Milnor, Bruce (Debbie) Ordahl of Milnor, Lisa (Bud) Heinert of Milnor, Wendy (Ryan) Rustan of Vining, MN, and Jamie Ordahl of Fargo, ND. Her grandchildren Kasi (Casey) Zimmerman, Jace and Zach of GF, ND, Kari (Ryan) DeBock, Riley, Mia and Nadia of Roseau, MN, Jacob Vatnsdal, (Abbey Hoff–Kamryn and Karsyn) Gabe, of Roseau, MN, Samantha (Cooper) Hinrichs, Oaklee, Jolee, Colter and Canyon of Lidgerwood, ND, Seth (Daniela) Ordahl, Bruce and Emily, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, Josh Ordahl, Hadley, Ruthie and Lainey, Milnor ND, Brittany (Adam) Quesnell, Van Nuys California, Sydney (Jeremy) Heinert, Edwin and William, Moorhead, MN, Nikki (Kevin Saenen) Heinert, Tessenderlo, Belgium, Ben (Brandi Ruben) Heinert, Milnor, ND, Gunnar (Zoe Blumhardt) Molstad, Duluth, MN, Georgia Molstad, Henning, MN. Sisters Helen Mairs and Shirley Hasbargen, Sisters in law Sheryl Dietzler, Clarice Cross, Delores Lunneborg, and Ione (Chuck) Muralt, and her Aunt Norma Kjos, Wyndmere, ND, special daughter Tamie (Bob) Prewe, Wyndmere, ND, and all of her "non related" grandchildren.
Sharon was welcomed home and into the loving arms of her husband, Donald (on his birthday), her son Bruce, and her first born, her brother Gary, her parents, and all of her loved ones who have gone before her.
Sharon's Celebration of Life will take place Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 11 am at the Milnor Lutheran Church with a lunch following. The service will be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend. Sharon's service will be live-streamed on her obituary page.
In lieu of flowers (Sharon didn't like cut flowers), donations can be made to Meals on Wheels, the Food Shelf, Shriners Children's Hospital or plant a tree in her honor.
