Sharon Louise (Putnam) Tauber

Sharon Tauber, age 81, of Glenwood, died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on Monday, March 18, 2024. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 23rd, at Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood, with Pastor Katrina Hoffman officiating. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. and run until the time of service. Inurnment will be at a later date in Calvary Cemetery, Glenwood. Memorials are preferred to Pope County Human Society, 17584 195th Ave, Glenwood, MN 56334. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood. 

Sharon Louise Putnam was born April 17, 1942, on the south side of Chicago in Harvey, Illinois. She was the fifth of seven children born to Robert James and Bernice Lillia (Foote) Putnam. Sharon grew up and attended school in Harvey. In the 8th grade Sharon began cleaning at a bakery and eventually was a supervisor over 120 employees at Robinson Transformer. In 1962, she was united in marriage to Ronald Witt. The two made their home in Harvey and welcomed three children, Ron Jr., Dianne, and Donna. In the early 70s, the family moved to Northern Wisconsin where they enjoyed many all-season outdoor activities. Sharon and Ronald eventually divorced and Ronald returned to Illinois. Sharon and the children remained in Wisconsin.

To make ends meet, Sharon often worked three jobs including 4 a.m. shifts opening the Crystal Cafe, managing the Senior Nutrition Program and Meals on Wheels, and in the evening she waitressed at Comfort Cove Supper Club on the lake. It was during a shift at the supper club in 1980 that she met Eugene “Gene” Tauber. The two hit it off and on January 17, 1981, Sharon and Gene were united in marriage, in Phillips, WI.

Following their marriage Sharon and Gene moved to Alexandria, MN where they lived briefly before moving to Glenwood. There they finished raising Donna, Shawn and Travis. After relocating, Sharon found work at Osterberg’s in Alexandria and later, at the Gingerbread Café in Glenwood. She enjoyed meeting and visiting with the many customers. She also worked for nearly 30 years in the dietary department at Glenwood Retirement Village where she formed close friendships with her co-workers and the residents. In 2014, Sharon and Gene moved to the Tauber family farm where they built a new home and managed the farm. Sadly, Gene passed away unexpectedly in November of 2015. For the next few years, Sharon continued to live on the farm and lease out the farmland before eventually moving to Glenwood.   

Sharon will be remembered for her very strong work ethic and her gift of hospitality. She truly enjoyed being with people and lending a helping hand. After she retired, her love of animals and her desire to help spurred her to volunteer at the Pope County Humane Society thrift store. She also enjoyed doing crafts, gardening, sewing, and when she had a young family, designing her kids clothing.

Following a brief illness, Sharon, loving mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend, went home to the Lord, her Savior, on Monday, March 18, 2024, and is in His loving arms. In her last days she expressed how extremely thankful she was for all the wonderful people and friends she met on her journey through life.

Sharon is survived by her three children, Ronald Witt Jr, Dianne (Ed) Murray, and Donna (Matt) Thompson; four stepchildren, Jason (Traci) Tauber, Scott (Jenice) Tauber, Shawn (Lynn) Tauber, and Travis (Angie) Tauber; 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Eugene Tauber; her parents, Robert and Bernice Putnam; and her siblings, Robert, Eugene, Richard, Sandra Coachman, Glenn, and Lynn Putnam.

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