Caryl Lee Sharp

Caryl Lee Sharp, 86, of Decorah, formerly Spring Valley, Minn., passed away at Highland Place (Aase Haugen) under Hospice care on February 9, 2026.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Burial will be in the Russell Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations and memorials may be sent to the family in memory of Caryl or the Russell Cemetery.

Caryl was born on December 17, 1939, to Lloyd and Hazel Quandahl Sharp in Decorah.

Caryl was active in the Methodist Church Youth Group and was afforded the opportunity to travel to New York City. A trip she treasured, as they were able to meet the then Senator John F. Kennedy.

In high school, Caryl fell in love with the French language and continued that passion in college. She graduated from Luther College, majoring in English and French, and that began her teaching career. She started teaching in Tama/Toledo, moved to Northwood, Iowa, then to Spring Valley, Minn., in 1970, where she later retired

While teaching in Tama/ Toledo, Caryl and a co-teacher attended the NDEA French Institute – a 6-week Federal program in Cedar Rapids. A program designed to promote diversity and pair Afro-American and Caucasian teachers to interact in teaching methods.

While teaching, Caryl supervised and traveled with the debate/speech teams. She was a formidable – but fair – teacher and loved seeing that spark of “I get it” in her students.

After retiring, she subbed for a while in the school system. Then she became involved in Hospice as a volunteer, where she met so many wonderful people and helped guide them in their own journey.

Caryl loved to travel, and she remained close with a group of high school girlfriends. They all enjoyed going to the many plays at the American Players in Spring Green, Wis. They also traveled to Quebec and Toronto, Canada, for a Shakespeare Festival. The group also attended many plays that Lanesboro had to offer. Caryl also traveled with her parents out west to Yellowstone and Montana to see relatives.

Caryl was most courageous in her battle with breast cancer, surgery on her spine, and an MRSA infection. She was indeed a formidable fighter and survivor.

Caryl was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Merlin; and a great niece, Kellie Ann Sharp.

Surviving are two sisters: LaVonne Sharp of Decorah and Phyllis Cutsforth of Ottumwa, Iowa, and one brother, John (JoAnn) Sharp of Decorah; nephews: Brian (Keitha) Cutsforth, Ottumwa, Iowa, Patrick (Shannon) Cutsforth, North Liberty, Sean Cutsforth, Ottumwa; and Andrew Sharp of Ankeny; nieces: Heather (Brian) Steele of Mechanicsville, and Lauren (Ryan) Kimber of Ridgeway; great-nieces Emily (Justin) Rader and Alison Cutsforth of Ottumwa, and great-nephew Thomas Cutsforth of Davenport.