Sharon Etta Freeman

Rev. Sharon E. Freeman (04/03/32 - 12/28/2024) Harold W. Freeman (06/13/1929 - 02/22/2025) Requiescat by Rev. Sharon E. Freeman When I die, sing glad songs! Tell a story of life everlasting Weep for your loneliness but not for me. I go with joy, unafraid, with arms outstretched, eager for this new experience. Don't look upon my lifeless shell. It served my needs, but I'll be gone. Remember what you will. No tended grave, cold and lonely. Blow me to the winds in some sweet spot I would have loved. Free my body with my soul and tend me in your heart. Sharon E. Freeman is a retired non-denominational minister. Her mother was a deeply committed Christian, who taught her to pray and meditate every day from an early age. She grew up attending a Methodist church and has belonged to several denominations over her lifetime. Most recently, she was a member of a Unity spiritual center, which teaches the oneness of all people with God and the validity of many paths to the Divine. Sharon first earned a B.A. in Psychology and Education from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and began her career as a primary teacher. Later, at the University of Minnesota, she became certified to teach special education students and continued in that career for 25 years. Her special love was teaching students diagnosed with autism. Because of health issues, she took an early retirement from teaching at age 65. After she "retired," Sharon was inspired to go back to school to learn more about spiritual practices and work as a spiritual counselor. She obtained certification through The Cenacle in Wayzata, Minnesota, and later traveled to Shalem Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, to study for a two-year certification as a spiritual director. A growing interest in religious theology prompted her to continue studies at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she obtained a Masters in Theology. Encouraged and inspired by the dean of Sancta Sophia Seminary in Tahlequah, Oklahoma Sharon completed studies for ordination and earned a Ph.D. in Religious Studies at the age of 75. Although never the pastor of a church, she's performed all the usual Christian ceremonies for other ministers. Her first book, Spiritual Perspectives/ Gifts of a Prayerful Life, was published in September 2016. She remained writing for years to come, so she could share her inspiration and what she's learned over a lifetime of prayer, study, and worship. Her husband, Harold W. Freeman, succeeded in business, with more than 60 years in sales under his belt. Few can claim the depth and breadth of his sales and sales training experience. He has sold door to door as well as on a retail sales floor. While in sales and sales management with 3M, IBM, Honeywell and Xerox, he sold to a host of businesses and industries. For six years, Harold served as vice president of a Xerox Learning Center and a custom sales training firm, and served clients such as John Deere, Marion Laboratories, Watkins Company, and the Toro Company. Eventually, he formed his own company, S.E.T. Incorporated, to offer additional services to his clients, that capitalized on his many years of sales, management, and training experience. He wrote The Sales Process training program used by a multitude of major U.S. corporations, such as Cargill, Sun Financial Group, Fuji Photo Film, and American Express. Among others, his client list also included 3M, NASA, ITT Consumer Financial Corporation, and the U.S. Navy Organizational Effectiveness Command. Harold has been an active member of, and leader in, Sales and Marketing Executives, and for six years, he served on the board directors of the Professional Sales Association. He has advised and lectured at the University of Minnesota, community colleges, and many professional organizations. Directly or indirectly, he's been responsible for the sales training of over 10,000 salespeople in every type of sales environment. Harold's philosophy is that an effective sales training program must be easy to learn, simple to remember, and true to life. He has written and published a book called, "Never Say May I Help You? A True-to Life Retail Sales Guide. He was a successful business man, devoted husband, and father to three amazing children. For Harold and Sharon, family has always been the most important focus. Their marriage had times of great joy and times of struggle- but through life's ups and downs, their love prevailed for 72 years of marriage. They raised their children to always know that they were loved and valued. Family vacations often involved a beach and a very long drive. They both enjoyed travel memories from around the United States, Canada, and the rest of the world. One of Sharon's favorite and most significant trips was to the Holy Lands. Harold enjoyed any place with a beach, beautiful scenery, and a nice place to relax and fish. Harold was an avid golfer, and spent much of his spare time golfing with friends. He participated in the golfing World Senior Games, in Utah, for many years and was quite the expert! As he began to get older, he and his golf buddies would meet for breakfast on Friday mornings. Harold also belonged to an ongoing men's group. He loved being with people and they loved being with him. For Sharon, nature was a constant source of inspiration, joy, and a gift from God. Sharon continued to write so that she could share her inspirations and what she's learned over a lifetime of prayer, study, and worship. She enjoyed meeting with old friends and relatives. She spent much of her time reading and learning. Over the years, black labs have been a cherished part of the Freeman Family- as well as an iguana, a turtle, a bird and various cats. Sharon loved birds. She enjoyed watching them and feeding them on their deck in the woods. There were sightings of cardinals, sparrows, chickadees, and to her delight- hummingbirds. On one occasion, she found a baby owl on her back steps. Squirrels jumped from roof to feeder, providing additional entertainment for both Sharon and Harold. Harold preferred the birds. They both lived long and fulfilling lives-with many friends and relatives to enrich their time together. They were survived by their children, Mark (Cindy), Wendy (Richard/deceased), Brian (Sue), their granddaughter Katie (Alex), granddog Zahara, grandcat Willow, grandturtle Sherman (the animals loved them, too!), nieces and nephews and many many friends! We all Love them and miss them...They are in heaven together, golfing and spending time as one Spirit. Memorials can be sent in their name to: The Animal Humane Society, Autism Speaks and The National Parks Association. A joint memorial service will be held on April 19, 2025 at Washburn-McReavy, Edina Chapel, at 11:00 am. A luncheon will follow. For those unable to to attend the Memorial Service in person, You can click the link below to watch via Webcam. The service will be available on the Washburn-McReavy website for 90 days, following the service, under Harold Wayne Freeman.

Tributes

Sharon Etta Freeman

April 3, 1932 - December 28, 2024

Tributes

Sharon Etta Freeman

April 3, 1932 - December 28, 2024

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