Sharron Lee Forton Heffernan

Sharron Lee Forton Heffernan died on Sunday January 9, lovingly surrounded by her family, at the age of 89, of Alzheimer's Disease.  

Sharron was born on October 2, 1932, in Lansing, Michigan, to Edward and Leobelle Forton.  She was the second of six children.  She grew up on the edge of Lansing in an area called Valley Farms, and graduated from Eastern High School, in Lansing Michigan.

A few years after graduation, Sharron and a friend joined the United States Army, also called the Women's Army Corps or WACs.  She served during the Korean War, and made her way to Brooklyn New York and New Jersey, where she reached the rank of Corporal.

While in the army, she met her former husband, Thomas.  They eventually made their home in St. Paul, Minnesota.  They had 4 wonderful daughters, and moved to Lake City, Minnesota in 1973.

She is survived by her daughters Debra (Dean), Kim (Greg), Janell (Jason), and Colleen (Eric), along with seven grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.  She has a sister, Pamela Forton Rodriguez, who resides in Michigan, along with many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Leobelle, siblings Joanne (Clements), Yvonne (Davis), Diane (Morrison),  Richard Forton, and twin daughters.

Sharron had a huge and generous heart, was a loving soul, and always put others first.  She was a wonderful mother and grandmother!  Sharron loved her family with all of her heart!  She loved playing cards, having lunch on a sunny deck with a glass of white wine, listening to Barbra Streisand playing, having a friendly chat with Bailey’s and a mug of coffee, and watching Michigan State Football, the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. In her younger days, she played competitive softball for Lansing.

Her family would love to thank Woodbury Estates for the wonderful care they gave her.  We would also like to thank St. Croix Hospice for making her end of life peaceful.

A private family memorial service will be held at Fort Snelling at a later date.  In lieu of memorials, please hug and love your family members, and help someone in need.