Sharon Lavonne Astrup-Scott, 72 of Albert Lea, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019, at her home.

Sharon was born July 7, 1946, to Justin and Beatrice (Hite) Astrup, in Gardner, North Dakota. She attended Kinyon, a one-room school, for first through seventh grade. From eighth through 12th grade, she attended and graduated from Hendrum High School in Hendrum, Minnesota.

Sharon excelled in academics and music. She began her piano, violin and vocal private studies while in elementary school and played violin in the Fargo/Moorhead Symphony Orchestra at age 16. Other activities included work in church and membership in the “Pride of the Valley” 4-H club. Sharon attended and graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, where she earned a bachelor of music degree cum laude in music education and performing.  Later, she worked on her master of music degree at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, in music education and performing.

Sharon married Matthew King Scott. They had two sons, Philip Astrup Scott and Peter Gorham Scott. They later divorced. In 2001, she married Robert N. Ackland, and they shared their lives together. She loved going home to her sugar beet and wheat farm in North Dakota. She enjoyed the outdoors, jogging, gardening, lawn and flowers. Her happiest times were with her sons and their families enjoying a meal or church together. Sharon had a private music business for many years and also taught public school music in Fridley, Minnesota, Cloquet, Minnesota, Laramie, Wyoming, Albert Lea, Austin, Minnesota, Rochester, Minnesota, Alden, Minnesota, and Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa. The most important part of this work was making a difference in a student’s life. She had a strong belief in God and enjoyed sharing this through the means of music.

She is survived by her husband, Robert; son, Philip (Jennifer) and grandchildren, Brock and Brynlea of Albert Lea; son, Peter (Ruth Ann); and grandchildren, Elizabeth and Camille of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Justin and Beatrice Astrup.

Soli Deo Gloria for all His blessings throughout Sharon’s lifetime.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, at the First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea with the Rev. John Holt officiating. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Bonnerup Funeral Service is assisting the family.