Sharon Fay Hill

Sharon Fay Hill, age 85, of Detroit Lakes passed away peacefully with a family vigil at Pelican Landing Memory Care on Tuesday, May 5th 2026 after a courageous journey with Alzheimer’s disease.

Sharon was born January 30th, 1941 to Sidney and Elizabeth (Nunn) Edwards, the youngest of six children, in Seattle, WA. Her family later moved to Long Beach, CA and then, at age 16, to Detroit Lakes, MN. She attended and graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1959. It was there that she met Gene Hill, the love of her life. She always said he was the “cute shy boy” in the back of the room. The boy that everyone told her she would never catch. Sharon was impressed by his cool car and asked him if she could drive it. She didn’t even have a license yet but he let her drive. The rest is history.

Sharon and Gene married on June 17, 1961, Gene’s 20th birthday, at First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, MN. They continued to live in the Detroit Lakes area where Gene owned his own construction business and they raised their four children. Sharon spent her children’s younger years at home but later went to work for the Becker County Sheriff’s Department. She loved her job there as an Administrative Assistant for over 25 years before retiring in 2007. Sharon and Gene had several years of fun and adventure in retirement before Gene succumbed to complications from Parkinson’s Disease in 2021, just weeks before their 60th wedding anniversary.

Sharon was known for being full of life, laughter and spice. Sharon was a fan of the Minnesota Vikings and looked forward to those Sunday afternoon games. She had a lot of fun bowling with Gene on a mixed doubles league, dancing with Gene, traveling, golfing, yard work, cooking, baking, knitting, and spending time with family. Sharon loved her family and spent regular time with grandchildren and children either at home, camping, or other celebrations.

Sharon was preceded in death by her husband Gene, her parents, five siblings, parent-in-law, brothers-in-law, and other extended family members. She is survived by her four children; Randy (Nancy) Hill of Callaway, MN, Mark Hill of Osakis, MN, Julie (Dan) Labat of Dent, MN, and Michelle (Cory) Olson of Detroit Lakes, MN in addition to her niece Connie (Todd) Anderson of Sioux Falls, SD, several other nieces and nephews, and sisters-in-law Sanna (Kjoljonen) Hendrickson and Lorelei Edwards. Sharon is also survived by eight grandchildren and three bonus grandchildren Levi Hill, Jake (Heather) Starkey, Lukis (Calicia) Hill, Alyssa (Tallen) Keller, Austin (Aundrea) Starkey, Garret Hill, Molly (Brian) Stanley, Ashley Olson, Jenna (Andy) Wills, Mark (Kayla) Labat, and Brian (Alexi) Labat, along with eight great grandchildren (and expecting another).

Sharon’s family would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to the special caregivers at Pelican Landing and Hearts in Action (HIA Hospice) who provided medical and supportive care to Sharon. Sharon made several friends during her time there with a special mention of her dear friend Marvel Simms.

Service will be held on May 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at David-Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Hearts in Action (HIA) of Detroit Lakes and the Alzheimer’s Association of Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter.