Sharon D. (Finkelson) Olejnicak

Sharon Olejnicak, age 81 of Rosemount, formally Glenwood, died peacefully at home on Saturday, April 18, 2026. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Noon on Monday, April 27 at the Church of Saint Albert the Great in Minneapolis with Father Joseph Gillespie officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at the Calvary Cemetery in Glenwood at a later date. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.

Sharon Dianne Olejnicak, was born Sept 7, 1944 in Austin, MN. The only child of Raymond and Florian (Wagner) Finkelson, she was raised in Adams, MN, where she attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church and primary school. Sharon was an excellent student and a member of the National Honor Society. In high school she went to the big city of St Paul as the Adams High School Girl’s State delegate. She was also an amazing artist and musician. In 1962 she graduated as valedictorian of her class. She then went on to further her education at Austin Community College where undertook a secretarial program. It was her job in the secretarial pool at Hormel Foods that put her in the path of her future husband, Thomas Olejnicak. He was an engineer and was told to make the rounds to see the new secretary. The rest, as they say, is history. They had their first date on April 1, 1965 and were married in Adams on July 24, 1965. The two celebrated 55 years of marriage before Tom’s passing in 2020. 

Sharon loved to golf, play cards and she was part of a state championship bowling team later in life. She was likewise very active in her church women’s groups and playing music for masses and funerals. She was an ardent animal lover and helped to get the Pope County Humane Society started. As Tom’s career advanced, the family to move around the county from their start in Minnesota they went to Kentucky, then Texas, back to Minnesota, then off to Mississippi for a short time and finally fulfilling their dream of retiring to a home on a lake in central Minnesota, where they were able to indulge in boating, fishing and quality time with family and friends.

Sharon was blessed with three daughters and a son. She was a role model for the ages! She led by example on how to be a Christian, a partner, a friend, a confidant, a mentor, even a co-conspirator if the need arose! As one of the few full-time career women of her generation, she managed it with grace and grit. She loved being a mother and many times would speak about how lucky she was to have such a loving family. That family grew to include children-in-law, grandchildren and two great grandchildren, with one more on the way. 

Although Sharon’s last year was marked with ill health, she maintained a positive attitude throughout most of it. She had the most amazing faith and was not afraid of what was to come. She knew that she would be with the Lord and her loved ones. While we that are left behind, will miss her immensely, she will be waiting for us on the day that we are all united once again. She died peacefully on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at home under the care of her family and hospice.

Sharon is survived by her three daughters, Darcy Ritchie, Teresa “Terri” (Alex) Cimochowski, and Pamela (David) Chenvert; eight grandchildren, Evelyn (Jonathan) Tate, John Ritchie, Kristin Olejnicak, Alex (Leah) Cimochowski, Erica (Andrew) Haajata, Alicia Cimochowski, Vanessa Chenvert and Leah Chenvert; two great grandchildren, Alex Cimochowski VI and Tripp Thomas Haataja, as well as sweet baby girl Cimochowski due in July; along with bonus grandchildren, Zach (Tasha) Chenvert and Kayla Chenvert. Sharon will live on in the memories of these dear loved ones.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Florian Finkelson, her beloved husband, Thomas, and her son, Marc Thomas. 

Memorials preferred to: For the Love of 4 Paws in Medina, MN, Pope County Humane Society in Glenwood, MN, and St Jude Children's Hospital.

Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.

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