Sharyle Knutson

Celebration of Life for Sharyle Knutson
Monday, May 16th, 2022
10:00am - Visitation
11:00am - Memorial Service
Lunch immediately following the service
St. Andrew's Lutheran Church
900 Stillwater Rd.
Mahtomedi, MN 55115

Knutson, Sharyle Jean, age 72, Saint Paul, MN, passed away on February 2, 2022 after a 5 year journey with Alzheimer's disease.

Sharyle grew up in Fridley, MN where she played piano, starred in school plays, and enjoyed creative endeavors- from drawing to sewing her own clothes. She spent a lot of time “up north” at her family’s lake place, where her eye for spotting agates was unmatched. Early in her working career she got involved in her local union. She found a voice and a community there, and continued to work her way up into leadership positions, culminating in her role as President of the MN AFL-CIO from 2009-2015. In her time there, she was a fierce advocate for workers rights, getting paid a living wage, and especially in developing women to become leaders within the labor movement. Her family is incredibly proud of who she was and what she accomplished. When she wasn’t breaking glass ceilings, she was a dedicated mother and grandmother who loved having family over, and enjoyed baking treats with the little ones. She loved animals, was an avid gardener, and enjoyed going on travel adventures with friends.

Sharyle is preceded in death by her parents Lee and Alvina (Keacher) Hitzeman, her daughter Jill Marie Knutson, and granddaughter Allison Mabel Thompson.  She is survived by daughters Jennifer (John) Thompson and Becky (Brad) Kallhoff, grandchildren Leah, Molly, Josie, Ada, Levi, and Ben, and siblings Barbara Hitzeman and Lee (Aneita) Hitzeman.

A memorial service will be planned for this spring. Memorials can be directed to the MN Humane Society.