Sharon A. Bernard

Sharon A. Bernard, 79, a longtime Stewartville, MN, resident died unexpectedly following a short illness on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at Mayo Clinic Rochester – St. Mary’s Campus.

Sharon Ann Malone was born on January 28, 1947, in Minneapolis, MN to LeRoy “Red” and Mary (Donney) Malone. She moved with her family as a young girl to Stewartville where she attended school, learned the value of service from her parents, and graduated from Stewartville HS in 1965. She attended nursing school in Mankato and then Rochester, earning an LPN Degree at Mayo Clinic’s School of Nursing in 1968. Sharon was married in August 1968, to Gayle W. Stevens. The couple lived in different states where Gayle was stationed during his service in the US Air Force. After his discharge they moved back to Stewartville in 1975, where they began raising their 3 sons and served as foster parents for Olmsted County. During that time, Sharon was a homemaker and was employed part-time as an LPN at Olmsted Medical Center in Rochester. They were later divorced.

Sharon married Eugene “Gene” Bernard on November 26, 1983, at Zion Lutheran Church in Stewartville and welcomed two more sons to her family. The couple lived in Stewartville and later moved to rural Chatfield, MN, for 25 years where they enjoyed hosting family events; harvesting apples and raspberries for baking and pumpkins with children’s names carved in them; as well as displaying Sharon’s massive nativity collection before moving back to Stewartville in 2024. She retired from the Stewartville Care Center as activities director after 35 years of delighting residents with fun activities, choreographed programs that included family, and a lot of love and care.  

Sharon was a longtime member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Stewartville. She lived a life of service as demonstrated by being a member of the Stewartville Morning Lions, volunteering with Family Services of Rochester to help the elderly, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Olmsted County as a Guardian ad Litem and was a Cub Scout Den Leader for her boys. She enjoyed camping, boating, mystery trips, traveling with Gene, including trips overseas, sewing gifts for others, reading, baking everyone’s favorite desserts, and following the Vikes. She loved spending time with her large family, especially with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Sharon was known for being a supportive shoulder to cry on, a fan of her grandkids, nieces, and nephews, as well as a prankster.  Her love knew no bounds and she was one of the sweetest people God gave the world.  She continued to give even after passing through the gift of organ donation.  Sharon will be deeply missed by her family and close friends.

Sharon is survived by her devoted husband of 43 years – Gene and 5 sons – Ken (Gwen) Stevens of Rochester, MN; Kevin (Mary Kay) Stevens of Shakopee, MN; Scott (Cathy) Stevens of Centennial, CO; Darin (Laurie) Bernard of Dodge Center, MN and Bruce (Michelle) Bernard of Colorado Springs, CO; 12 grandchildren – Megan Stevens (Todd Hansen), MacKenzie (Chris) Hannaman, Justin Stevens (Megan Frassel), Kendra (Dawson) Gilson, Kayla Stevens (Chase Gasner), Luke Stevens, Karisa Stevens, Maximilian Bernard (Jonathon Baroz), Emily Bernard, Christine Heroff, Matt Szynal and Mike (Zed) Syznal-Whitaker; 7 cherished great-grandchildren – Addyson, Cora, Rylan and Lainey Hannaman, Diego and Fernando Baroz and Caleb Heroff; her sister – Molly (Mike) Hintz of Mazeppa, MN and 5 brothers – Tim Malone of Rochester; Dr. Kevin (Chris) Malone of San Diego, CA; Greg (Rita) Malone of Spring Valley, MN; Mike (Colleen) Malone of Plymouth, MN and Pat (Kriss) Malone of Stewartville and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 AM on Monday, November 2, 2026, at St. Bernards Catholic Church in Stewartville, MN with Rev. Kevin Connolly officiating. Burial and a committal service will follow at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, MN.  A time of visitation for family and friends will be held from 3:00 to 6:00 PM on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at St. Bernards Catholic Church and from 9:30AM to the time of service at the church on Monday morning.  Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Sharon are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com. Memorial contributions to the Stewartville Care Center and the Stewartville Morning Lions are encouraged in memory of Sharon.

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