Valerie "Sharon" Arel, 76, of Fargo, ND, passed away on October 5, 2026 at her home under the care of HIA Hospice.

Sharon was born on May 3, 1950, the daughter of Peter and Florestine (Azure) LaFrance. She grew up all over North Dakota until she met George Arel Sr. She married George Sr. on November 8, 1969 in Ada, MN. They lived in Perley, MN, before moving to Fargo, ND in the 1970s. They celebrated 53 years of marriage together until George Sr. passed away in 2023. Together they had six children.

Sharon loved to go shopping at thrift stores and collected many different things from craft supplies, Barbie dolls, and more.

She loved to go on family trips from California to South Dakota. She loved to go to different casinos while traveling. She loved playing the slot machines and also playing Bingo every once in a while. She loved her family a lot even when they were not speaking. She took care of all 6 kids in the family while growing up in the Golden Ridge area.

She is survived by her six children, Tina Shultz, George Jr. (Senneta), Kevin, Cathy (Steve) Brown, John and Valerie (Tommy); thirteen grandchildren, Shania, William, George III, Rowland, Michael, Akira, Adam, Dawson, Dylan, Ethan, Ava, Alex, and Lana; two great grandchildren, Jade and Alice, all of the Fargo area; sisters, Marilyn Cullen, Caralyn LaFrance; and brother, LeRoy LaFrance.

Sharon was preceded in death by her husband, George Sr; her parents, Peter and Florestine LaFrance; brothers and sisters, Peter, Arcelia, Janice, Michael, Lovetta, Bobbie, and Ray; and a few others.

"Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I will remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears, then don't remember me at all." - Laura Ingalls Wilder

Graveside Service: 11:00am, Friday, October 9, 2026 at Holy Cross Cemetery - North, Fargo, ND.