Sharon Gourneau

Sharon L. Gourneau, age 55 began her journey to heaven on June 15, 2006 when she died in Elim Care Center, Fargo, after a valiant battle with cancer. Sharon was the 4th oldest, born to Lawrence Gourneau and Marcelline (Belgarde) Gourneau in Belcourt, ND. She attended school in Belcourt and graduated from Turtle Mountain Community High School in Belcourt, ND in 1968. Sharon left Belcourt after high school and completed Business College in Fargo. She started working for Northwestern Bell, which later became Qwest Telephone Company in Fargo. She worked for approximately 30 years until her retirement in 2001. Approximately 2 weeks after her retirement, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2002 she began working for Elim Nursing Home until recently when she became too sick to work. Most of her life was spent in Fargo where she participated in various activities. One of the most recent activities was the cancer support group. She would invite her extended family to come and walk with her and her friends on an overnight vigil for those surviving cancer. In this group she found love, camaraderie and a common bond with cancer survivors. Sharon enjoyed visiting with family, traveling, bingo and being with her friends. Sharon had a strong spiritual life. She was a Catholic and a member of the Church of the Nativity in Fargo. She volunteered her time for the church on a number of activities. Trough the years she invited family members to attend Mass with her on Sundays. When she was traveling, it was important to her to find a church to attend Mass on Sunday and holy days of obligation. When in Belcourt she attended St. Ann?s Catholic Church. Cancer did not defeat Sharon?s spirit. Her spirit remained strong. She continued to have a full life of family, friends, and belief in God until the end. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Marcelline and Lawrence Gourneau. She is survived by her son, Matthew Gourneau; her brothers, Clancy (Teri Stenerson) Gourneau of Bradenton, FL, Duane (Cindy) Gourneau of Belcourt, ND, Arthur Gourneau of Belcourt, ND, Albert (Margo) Gourneau of Belcourt, ND; sisters, Deborah Gourneau of Belcourt, ND and Lila (Cliff Haakenson) Thomas of Rolla, ND. The funeral Mass will be held on Monday, June 19, 2006 at 10:00 am in Church of the Nativity, Fargo, with visitation one hour prior to the service in the church. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at 10:00 am in St. Ann?s Catholic Church in Belcourt, ND. Sharon will be buried with her mother, Marcelline Gourneau, in St. Ann?s Cemetery in Belcourt, ND. Honorary casket bearers were all of Sharon?s nieces and nephews, Jessica Gourneau, Jonathon Gourneau, Adam Gourneau, Anthony Gourneau, McKayla Gourneau, Lori Thomas, Tia Thomas, Nathaniel and Westin Gourneau. Gift bearers were her cancer support group. Arrangements entrusted to Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo.