Sharon West, 84, Owatonna

Sharon Dee Pfeil West, age 84, passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 6, 2023. Sharon was born on Sept. 17, 1939 in Los Angeles, California, the second child of the late Osborn Albert “Steve” Pfeil (1912 – 1996) of Worthington, Minn. and Joyce Arma Taggert Pfeil (1913 – 1990) of Chatsworth, Iowa. Steve and Joyce married in California in 1936, and lived in Glendale, returning to Owatonna in the early 1940s where Steve operated a retail business, Pfeil’s Cedar Street Variety Store.

After attending Owatonna High School, Sharon attended Hamline University and the Minnesota School of Business. It was while she was living in St. Paul that she met the love of her life; Harvey Wheldon West, Jr. (1935 – 2008). They were married in Owatonna on September 6, 1959 and lived in St. Paul until they moved to Owatonna in 1961 when Harvey accepted a job with the Owatonna Tool Company.

Sharon worked as the Human Resources manager for Truth Hardware for many years. After retiring from Truth in 2000. In 2002, she began working for the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, taking a year off between 2007 and 2008 to care for Harvey, and officially retired in 2012. She continued to serve as a Chamber Ambassador and as a volunteer until her passing.

Sharon was a passionate and dedicated volunteer at the Steele County Historical Society and was a trustee of the Owatonna Foundation. She also served, or was a part of, many organizations, among them: the United Way, the Civil Service Commission, the Airport Commission, the Hospice House, Nortonna Lodge, the Dam Preservation Corporation, and was the Co-Chair for the Owatonna Sesquicentennial Committee where she was instrumental in helping rebuild the Central Park BandShell in Central Park and cataloging Owatonna’s history in the Sesquicentennial History Book.

The Owatonna Foundation recognized the philanthropic commitment of Harvey and Sharon, both financially and in spirit, with the 2022 Spirit of the Community Award, noting they had “unwavering enthusiasm, and passion for making a difference” in Owatonna. Sharon had many “firsts” in her life. She was the first female Board Chair for the Owatonna Chamber and the first female Rotary President in Owatonna. She was recognized with the Woman of the Year award, and later with the Pioneer Woman Award from the Owatonna Business and Professional Women’s organization.

Sharon and Harvey shared a lifelong passion for both history and auto racing. While Harvey raced and drove, Sharon would serve as his pit crew. She remained an active volunteer for the SCAA (Sports Car Club of America) doing registration at

races across the midwest. They were life members of Owatonna Elks Lodge #1395. Harvey and Sharon also enjoyed flying their planes with Owatonna R/C Modelers.

Sharon is survived by her sister-in-law, Gayle Pfeil of Chandler Arizona, niece Piper Pfeil of Payson, Ariz.

She was preceded in death by her husband Harvey, her parents, her brother Terry Pfeil of Chandler, Arizona, and her niece Taylor Pfiel.

Arrangements are with Michaelson Funeral Home and a celebration of life will be set for some time this coming January. A private interment will be at Acacia Park Cemetery in Mendota at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Steele County Historical Society, Owatonna Hospice or the donor’s choice.