I remember taking the news of Sheila’s passing like a blow to the stomach. Even nearly two years later, it still doesn’t seem quite real to me. She was one of the main reasons why Straight Arrows club property didn’t turn completely into bachelor style living. That can happen in a club with mostly guys as members. When her husband, Mark, became a member (making her one by default), they both jumped in, camping out and working at the track quite regularly.

When Sheila wasn’t in the scoring building during the races, you might have seen her getting something for somebody, or in the trailer cooking or heating something up that she had brought. She always seemed to bring just what you wanted. Show up early for sign-up Sunday morning and the bars were there, just when you needed them. She would also occasionally serve as a bartender, not during the races, of course, but in the evenings hanging around the track. Going to miss those times.

But Sheila wasn’t just on the sidelines. She also rode. Being a bit set-height challenged, she started on a trail bike, but worked her way up to a CR 125. Learning to ride in sand probably isn’t the easiest way to go about it, but she was out there doing it, and learned to keep it rolling. I believe she raced the Women’s class once at Grantsburg and if my memory serves me correctly, she finished in front of at least one of the men she was dropped with.

Many of the second-generation Straight Arrow daughters saw her riding as an example of “Hey, girls can do this, too”. She may not have been the fastest rider, but she was out there having fun, and it showed. That’s what I’ll remember most about her. And the food.

- Bob Chase

Her Re-printed Obituary (Published in the Star Tribune on 8/10/2007)
Brunsberg, Sheila J. (Cornelius)

Brunsberg, Sheila J. (nee Cornelius) age 49 of Chanhassen and formerly of Austin, MN. Loving wife, mother and grandmother. Survived by husband, Mark Brunsberg; sons, Jeremy & Jamie Kulff; 5 grandchildren; mother & father, Roger & Ida Mae Cornelius; mother-in-law, Doris Normandin; sisters, Connie (Bob) Dayton, Sharon (Scott) Ollenberger; brother, Ed Cornelius; brothers-in-law, Steven (Kim) Brunsberg, John (Darlene) Brunsberg, Jim Brunsberg; sister-in-law, Mary Jo Brunsberg; nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends. Sheila was employed with United Health Care at InGenics and she was a member of the Straight Arrows.

Funeral Service, Monday, Aug. 13, 2007 at 2:00 pm at Huber Funeral Home. Interment Chanhassen Pioneer Cemetery, Chanhassen, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials to family for future designation. Huber Funeral & Cremation Services