Obituary of Sheila M. Wicklund

Sheila Marie Wicklund, 62, of Blaine passed away on Monday, December 12, 2016 while vacationing in Florida. She was born November 27, 1954 in Braham, MN to Duane and Donna (Hillstrom) Ledin. She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in North Branch. When Sheila was one, the family moved to Fridley. She was confirmed at Redeemer Lutheran Church, attended grade school, and graduated from Fridley High School in 1972. After graduating, she attended Bethel College, graduating in 1976 with a degree in music. She would later return to Bethel and earn a degree in music education. Sheila worked for a time in administration at Bethel Seminary and later in human resources at Bachman’s, North Memorial Medical Center, and Robert Half Inc. On October 6, 1979, she was united in marriage to Dennis Wicklund at First Baptist Church in Cambridge. They lived a short time in Arden Hills before making their home in Bloomington. Later they moved to Plymouth and in 2006 built a home in Blaine where they have since lived. Music was a very important part of Sheila’s life and she shared her musical talents at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fridley, First Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Crystal Evangelical Free Church/New Hope Church, North Heights Lutheran Church, and GracePoint Church in New Brighton. She always loved working with children and was a beloved piano teacher to many. She found teaching piano to her younger students to be very rewarding as she helped them develop their talents. Sheila was an excellent cook and loved trying out new recipes. She enjoyed going to Disney World and made several trips there with Dennis over the years. Sheila’s first piano teacher was Mrs. Stone, the pastor’s wife at Redeemer Lutheran. At an early age, it became apparent that she had a very special musical gift. She became an accomplished keyboard artist who loved to play both piano and organ with the God-given talent that made her music so special. Sheila’s playing style was distinctive and natural and was loved by all who heard her play. She had the ability to play multiple styles of music and could sight-read anything put in front of her. This unique talent was very helpful many times when music was handed to her at the last minute by those who knew she would play it perfectly, even the first time through. Sheila offered her musical talents to God and served him faithfully for well over 40 years of dedicated service. In addition to her various church music positions, she played for hundreds of weddings, funerals, and other special events through the years that were made even more special by having Sheila at the keyboard. Her life-long musical legacy will live on in our hearts and she will be missed more than words can express. She was preceded in death by her father Duane Ledin, and brother-in-law Terry Quammen. Sheila is survived by her husband Dennis, mother Donna Ledin of Andover, siblings Paula (Jeff) Swanson of Plymouth, Darryl (Carlene) Ledin of Fridley, Karen Quammen of Andover, Lori (Gary) Engler of Sterling, Alaska, Susan (Farren) Forcier of Fridley, sisters-in-law Donna (Tom) Konnad of Cambridge, Gini (Lowell) Anderson of Cambridge, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as other relatives and friends. Sheila’s family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to those that cared for her at Park Nicollet and Methodist Hospital.