Sylvia Newton

Sylvia Newton, 88, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Friday, February 1, 2013 at PioneerCare Center.

Sylvia was born on June 2, 1924 in Fergus Falls, the daughter of Fred and Martha (Schmidt) Denbrook. She was baptized, confirmed and a lifelong member of First United Church of Christ. She graduated from Fergus Falls Washington High School in 1942.

On May 16, 1948 she married Lee Newton. Through the years she was employed at F.W. Woolworth, Townsend Record Shop and the Daily Journal in which she worked for 23 years.

She was very active in her church including singing in the church choir, Sunday school teacher, a member of Priscilla Circle, served on Church Council, Local and Western Association United Church of Christ committee, and camp director at Pilgrim Point. She along with her husband served as youth advisors for 25 years and recycled newspapers for their church for 35 years. She was also a member of Square Dance Federation of Minnesota, A Center for the Arts, Prairie Wind Players of Barrett and Former member of The Sweet Adelines.

She sang duets with Lee at church and other occasions, appeared in numerous plays for Playing on Purpose and Prairie Wind Players. She was chairperson of all her class reunions. She loved to dance and was very active in square and folk dance activities since 1948. She taught ballroom dancing and also taught dance to special needs people. Along with dancing and music she also enjoyed gardening, craftwork and theater.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Lee, who died in 1997; sisters, Vera (Kenneth) Roepke and Elda (John) Lawson; brothers, Armin (Grace) Denbrook, Alvin Denbrook and Lester Denbrook; and brothers-in-law Keith Newton and Kenneth Haugan.

Survivors include sisters-in-law, Helen Denbrook of Fergus Falls, Millie Denbrook of Wabasha, and Joyce Haugan of Anchorage AK; brother-in-law, Dean (Lorraine) Newton of Rothsay; along with several nieces and nephews and special friends, Shirley Jandt and Alan Friedrich.


Memorials are preferred to the First United Church of Christ Building Fund or the organization of the donor’s choice.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 11 am Friday, at First United Church of Christ, Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Tom Gard
Burial: First United Church of Christ Cemetery, Fergus Falls
Arrangements: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls