Sharon Kay Eakes

Sharon K. Eakes, age 80, of Lake Benton, Minnesota, formerly of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, died Friday, December 22, 2023 surrounded by family at Luther Haven in Montevideo, Minnesota. Funeral service will be December 29, 2023 at Noon, with visitation beginning at 11:00 AM, all at Springdale Lutheran Church rural Sioux Falls. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Hartquist Funeral Home. 

Sharon was born on May 13, 1943 to Selmer and Frances (Bates) Estenson, Sr. in Clear Lake, South Dakota. She was raised in rural LaBolt, South Dakota, where she attended elementary school. She then attended and graduated high school in nearby Strandburg, South Dakota. Sharon met John "Webb" Eakes and the couple made their home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where they owned and operated the Nickel Plate Restaurant from 1965 to 1995. Sharon then went to work in home health care. Web preceded her in death in November 1998. In 2003, Sharon moved to Lake Benton, Minnesota. She then worked as a CNA at Sunrise Manor in Tyler, Minnesota, until her retirement. 

Sharon was a member of Springdale Lutheran Church near Sioux Falls, South Dakota and sang in the church choir. She enjoyed cooking, especially for others, and always made sure everyone left full. She also enjoyed dancing, singing, karaoke, gardening, mowing the yard and simply being outdoors at her lake home. She loved spending time with her family and always enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren. Her family will cherish the memories shared with Sharon and remember her as she told them, "I was the wild child."

Sharon is lovingly survived by her three children, Randy Schell of St. Paul, Minnesota, Connie Eakes of Sioux Falls, and Kari (Dave) Peake of Lake Benton, Minnesota; daughter-in-law, Julie (Steve) Heggestad of Montevideo; step-father, Ken Kunde of Watertown, South Dakota; six grandchildren, Aaron (Sarah) Dolen, Adam (Brittany) Dolen, Cody (Amber) Sauers, Jordan Sauers, Ella (Ty) Peake and Carter Peake; seven great-grandchildren, Delaney Dolen, Roman Dolen, Claire Dolen, Kadyn Sauers, Kashton Sauers, Kloe Sauers and Koa Sauers; sister, Jean Angelson of Springfield, Missouri; sister-in-law, Rose Estenson of Joplin, Missouri; and other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, John "Webb" Eakes; son, Terry Dolen; daughter, Jacquelyn Schell; father, Selmer Estenson; mother, Frances Kunde; step-father, Norman Dolen; brothers, Selmer Estenson, Jr., and Dennis Estenson; and brother-in-law, Harry Angelson.