Sharon G. Behnke

Sharon Gail (nee Berg) Behnke, 90, formerly of 900 Birch Blvd, Winona, for 50 years, passed away on Monday, May 25, 2026, at Sugar Loaf Senior Living. She was surrounded by family over the weekend and went peacefully to her Heavenly home that Monday morning. She was a beloved wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma, auntie, friend and woman of God.

She was born on June 30, 1935, on her grandparents’ farm in Oconto County, WI, the oldest daughter of Elmer and Eleanor (Wirtz) Berg. She graduated from Shawano High School in 1953. She married Richard (Dick) C. Behnke on November 5, 1955, at Faith Methodist Church in Shawano.

She supported her husband as he moved to further his education after he graduated from Winona State College in 1959. In 1969, they returned to his Alma Mater of Winona State as he began his professorship in the HPER Dept. While raising four children, Sharon pursued her BS degree from Winona State and proudly graduated in 1978. She worked in the business offices at St. Teresa’s College and WSU for many years.

Following retirement, Sharon and Dick traveled, volunteered for Meals on Wheels and their church, Redeemer Lutheran, where they were members for over 50 years. They also spent as much time as possible with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren! She was fondly referred to by her family as Cookie Monster, Mrs. Clean, Trivial Pursuit Queen and Grumpy Grandma.

She is survived by their children: Vaunie (Chris) Weaver, Plymouth WI; Jody Thiele (Mike Layton), Winona; Tim (Wendy) Behnke, Winona; and Brad (Jill) Behnke, Mahtomehdi, MN. She and Dick have 12 grandchildren: Kinley (Tim) Bush and Kelsey (Zak) Paulus; Katelynn Lange (Jordan Potter) and Danielle (Jaran) Defries; Zachary (Heidi Lee) Behnke, Bethany (Aaron Berkowitz) Behnke, Marissa (Eric Benjamin) Behnke, Monica Behnke, Matthew Behnke, and Sophia Behnke; and Max Behnke (Eloise Suoja, fiancée) and Cameron Behnke; plus 5 great-grandchildren: Lucius (Lange) Reed; Oliver Bush; Milah Defries; Charlie Bush; and JJ Defries. Her sister, Carmen Timm, Shawano, WI, also survives her along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and two brothers and many friends and relatives who she is now celebrating with in Heaven.

A funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1664 Kraemer Dr, Winona. Pastor Bert Mueller will officiate. A brief visitation will be held prior to the service at 1:30 PM. A time for fellowship and sharing of memories will follow the service. Interment will take place at a later time.

Suggested memorials could be to a hospice provider or a charity of your choice.

The family extends a huge thank you to the staff at Sugar Loaf Senior Living for their genuine compassion for the two years she was a resident there and for the amazing care she received from both Winona Area Hospice and St Croix Hospice at different times during those years.

The family also appreciates the exceptional, caring service the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home has provided.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Sharon’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.