Sharon Elaine Miner, 76 Sharon Elaine Miner, a third generation Mullan resident, passed away on June 13, 2018 at the family home in Mullan, Idaho. Her daughters were by her side. Sharon was born December 9, 1941, in Wallace, Idaho; Sharon was the daughter of James and Beverly (Harwood) Wilkerson.
Sharon was the beloved mother of three children, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Sharon attended the local schools in Mullan and graduated from Mullan High School in 1961. After High School Sharon worked as an au pair in Spokane.
She returned to Mullan to care for her mother who was suffering from Parkinson’s disease. In 1962 she married Wayne Olkonen from Mullan. Wayne was serving in the Navy and they moved to California to be near his military base.
They had two daughters: Gail and Julie. The marriage eventually ended. On September 23, 1978 Sharon married Clint Miner in Escondido, California.
Together they formed a blended family as Sharon had two daughters Gail and Julie and Clint had a son, Clint Junior. For many years Sharon and Clint owned and operated the American Striping and Sweeping Company, servicing military bases and institutions in all of North County, California. They retired from the business and moved to Arizona.
In 2008 Sharon with her husband returned to Mullan and moved into the family home that had been in her family for one 100 years. In Mullan Sharon became an active member of the Mullan Museum board of directors following in the footsteps of her parents. Sharon’s mother, Beverly Harwood Wilkerson was a founding member of the museum and her father Jim Wilkerson served on the board for many years.
Sharon was very interested in the preservation and maintenance of the local cemeteries and through her association with the Mullan Community Action Committee (MCAN) the historic Fairmont Cemetery received long overdue maintenance, and military wreaths were laid on veterans graves at the other local cemeteries. Sharon was a founding member of the Mullan Health Clinic committee, a group that advocated for and brought a medical clinic to Mullan. She assisted with many health care events that took place at the clinic during its tenure.
Ironically, at one of the free community medical checkups at the last minute, as a lark, she allowed the clinic doctor to check her blood pressure. When the doctor discovered Sharon’s dangerously high blood pressure she was immediately admitted to the hospital, and later had successful heart surgery. Sharon often said that the chance blood pressure check at the local clinic saved her life.
Sharon was a member of the Wallace chapter of Eastern Star. In addition, she was active in many community events. Sharon liked to remember her happy childhood in Mullan.
Her grandfather, Art Harwood, owned and operated the Rex-all drug store on the corner of 2nd street and Earle. At noon each school day, Sharon would walk from school to the drug store to meet her grandfather, and together they would climb the steep city steps to their shared home on the top of Hunter Street to have lunch. After lunch Sharon and her grandfather would walk down the stairs, her grandfather returning to his work as a pharmacist and Sharon to her classroom.
Sharon also recalled the fun she and her friends had swimming in the outdoor swimming pool which was located a short distance from her home and her grandfather’s drug store. Sharon’s sister, Charlotte was born with a developmental disability and in order to receive schooling had to live in an institution at Nampa, in southern Idaho, a long drive from Mullan. Sharon recognized that being separated from the family was a hardship for both her sister and her parents.
As a result, Sharon became a strong advocate for inclusive education and disability services close to home. In Sharon’s free hours she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, traveling, reading, knitting and gardening. She most enjoyed being with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Sharon is survived by her three children: Gail Johnson (Paul Bisnett), Julie Olkonen and Clint Miner; seven grandchildren: Jerrad (Sarah) Johnson, Jason Johnson, Joshua Johnson, Alek Leydsman, Rachael Leydsman, Scott Leydsman, Clinton (Valerie) Miner and three great-grandchildren Wyatt Johnson, Dylan Johnson and Marshall Johnson. She is also survived by her Aunt Joanne (Tom) Flynn and sister in law Arvilla Turrill. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clint, sister Charlotte and her companion dog Pepe.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donation can be made to the Captain John Mullan Museum at P.O. Box 675 Mullan, ID 83846 or to Hospice of North Idaho at 2290 West Prairie Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815. One may sign Sharon’s online guest book at www. shoshonefuneralservice.com SHOSHONE FUNERAL SERVICES & CREMATORY KELLOGG, IDAHO is entrusted with cremation services.
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