A memorial service and reception will be held at St. Paul's in Wickford, Rhode Island at 11:00am on Thursday, February 19th.

A Celebration of Life Graveside Service for will be held Monday, February 23rd at 11:15 AM at the Delft Cemetery in Delft, MN. The Flatgard family requests everyone that will be attending the graveside service to meet at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center parking lot by 11:00 AM on Monday for the procession to the cemetery.

A luncheon with refreshments will be provided after the graveside service at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom.

Sharon Winters Flatgard died on February 8, 2026, from complications related to a rare form of uterine cancer, which she fought for two and a half years. She was at home, surrounded by family and friends.

Sharon (née Kay Winters) was born on September 28, 1949, in Mountain Lake, MN, to A. Maria and Kenneth Winters. Sharon spent her early years on the family farm, learning to drive a tractor by age 10. She took great pleasure knowing her brothers, son, niece and nephew continue the fifth-generation family farm and its legacy.

Sharon was a proud graduate of Mt. Lake High School, attended the University of Minnesota and graduated from Boston University after moving to Massachusetts with her husband Adrian. They traveled extensively throughout their life together and lived for two years in Brazil during the 1970s, developing lifelong friendships.

When Sharon and Adrian returned to Massachusetts, they settled in Bolton. The house on Century Mill Road became a focal part of their lives. Sharon gave birth to Ben in 1985 and raised him there, among the gardens and woods.

When Ben went off to Groton School, Sharon pursued a Masters in Social Work at Simmons College. There she was inspired by Jane Addams, a progressive social worker who founded Hull House in the late-19th century to help Chicago's immigrant families. In addition to maintaining a private practice, Sharon worked as a clinical social worker at McLean Hospital for 23 years where she will be remembered as a gifted teacher who recruited, trained, and mentored new social workers, inspiring students with her love and admiration for the field of social work. She retired in May 2025.

Sharon was an avid gardener, winning many blue ribbons at the Newport Flower Show, as well as an outspoken advocate for social justice. She loved engaging in the political and civic process, volunteering, canvassing, working phone banks, and writing letters.

Sharon is survived by her husband of 56 years, Adrian, of Newport, RI, her son Ben and his wife Leslie (Jones) of Wickford, RI, and her beloved grandchildren, Von and Henrietta. Known affectionately as "Mimi" to her grandchildren, Sharon's playful spirit and gentle guidance were the highlights of their cherished moments together.

Sharon is also survived by her three brothers Kenneth Jr. (Lori), Gregory (Denise), and Philip (Lucy), her Aunt Suzanne Winters (James) and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Donations may be made in Sharon's memory to Newport's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center's Hunger Services and Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, Devens, MA, where Sharon served as a past board member.