Sharyl Kay Gilman

Sharyl Kay Gilman was born on January 21, 1952 to Stanley and Laura (Graves) Komarenski. She was raised in the San Fernando Valley, California, and had good memories of playing in the olive groves and riding horses with friends. She received her education and completed the requirements for her high school diploma. Sharyl was married to Frank Knapp and the couple was blessed with two sons. They lived in Downy, California and later divorced. Sharyl moved to Bellflower, California and worked as a cashier for National Lumber for a number of years. She then worked for a short time at a local bank. Sharyl met Burton Gilman while living in Bellflower and on February 10, 1990, the couple was married. In 1993, they moved to the Edgerton, Minnesota. They lived in various places until purchasing a home in Hatfield, Minnesota. Sharyl worked as a CNA at Edgebrook Care Center and then for several years at Good Samaritan Communities in Pipestone, Minnesota. She then took a job with Spronk Brothers in the nursery with pigs. At the time, she was this first woman working in this capacity, for which she was proud of. In October 2014, Sharyl retired due to her health concerns. On Sunday, December 25, 2022, she died at the Avera McKennen Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 70 years, 11 months and four days.

Sharyl was a member of Woodstock Community Church in Woodstock, Minnesota, where she playfully enjoyed heckling pastor during his sermons. She also enjoyed flowers, plants and her cats. Sharyl always gave of herself to others and will be remembered for her spirit and determination, often times saying, “Don’t tell me I can’t do it!”

Sharyl is lovingly remembered by her husband, Burton Gilman of Hatfield; two sons, Bill Knapp of Phoenix, Arizona and Rick Knapp of San Diego, California; four grandchildren; four siblings, Robert, Karen, Kathy and Javonna; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Steven.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sharyl Kay Gilman, please visit our floral store.