Sharleen Joyce Stigen, 76, Fairfield, died on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at Hill Top Home of Comfort, Killdeer surrounded by her children. Sharleen’s Funeral Service will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at Belfield Lutheran Church, Belfield with Rev. Dawn Busch as officiant. Interment will take place at the Belfield Lutheran Cemetery. There will be a Gathering of Family and Friends  on Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a time of sharing memories at 6 p.m.

Sharleen Joyce was born on April 7, 1946 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Dickinson to Emil and Kathleen (O’Brien) Sauvageau. Sharleen was one of four children. She grew up on a farm southeast of Belfield. Sharleen would attend all 12 years in the Belfield Public School System.

While working at Roth’s in Belfield, Sharleen would meet the love of her life Donald Arvid Stigen. On July 2, 1966, Donald and Sharleen were joined in marriage and from this union three children , Justin, Carol and Laura were born. They would make their life on the family farm in Fairfield.

Sharleen’s teaching career would begin at Tester School and she was a part of the Billings County Public School system her entire career. Sharleen would go onto obtain her Bachelors Degree from Dickinson State College and finally her Master’s Degree from Minot State University. Sharleen was a dedicated teacher often going to school early and not coming home until evening. Her students were everything to her. Sharleen would do anything to give her students a leg up in life. Sharleen’s Reader’s Picnic in the summer were epic and kids wanted to be there. She inspired her students with hard work, encouragement, expectations, ethics and love. Sharleen always made learning fun. The pinnacle of Sharleen’s career was when she won North Dakota Teacher of the Year and went on to complete for National Teacher of the Year.

Faith was very important to Sharleen. Sharleen played a very active role in the Belfield Lutheran Church. From church council to helping organize Vacation Bible School for many years.

Sharleen was also known for her sense of humor. Throughout her years Sharleen and Anita Kessel were known for the pranks they played on Phillip Malkowski our county commissioner. From road restrictions signs to “Have you hugged your commissioner today” signs. What Sharleen didn’t think of Anita did.

Sharleen in her retirement loved spending time with her grandchildren, friends and family. Sharleen was an avid gardener, loved reading and visiting. In her final years, mom made many friends at Hill Top Home of Comfort. Everyone knew and loved mom and her children are forever thankful for the love and care that the staff gave mom.

Sharleen is preceded in death by her husband, Donald Stigen; father, Email Sauvageau; mother, Kathleen Sauvageau; brother, Tom Sauvageau; father-in-law, Vic Stigen; mother-in-law, Amy Stigen; brother-in-laws, Ward Northrop and Don Wyckoff; and sister-in-law, Beverly Northrop.

Sharleen is survived by her children, Justin Stigen, Carol (Dennis Koffler) Stigen, Laura (David) Sadowsky; grandchildren, Amy Koffler, Nathan Sadowsky, Robert Sadowsky, Abigail Sadowsky and Sophia Sadowsky; brother, Junior (Dorothy) Sauvageau, sister, Carolyn (Paul) Hayden, sister, MaryAnn (Stan) Rahm; sisters-in-law, Gwen Sauvageau, Doris (Roy) Meyers and Phyllis Wyckoff.