Sharon Rebar

Sharon Rebar made the big leap towards meeting the Prince of Peace on December 17, 2023, passing peacefully in her apartment. She was fiercely independent and living and dying on her own terms was of utmost importance. This mission was accomplished in so many ways over the course of her life, and most recently after liberation from a nursing home following a serious stroke several years ago.

Sharon was born and raised in International Falls, MN, on October 12, 1939, to Joseph and Kathleen Growette. She grew up in a tight knit family that consisted of two younger brothers, Michael and Joe. Many aunts, uncles and cousins frequented their home while growing up, some moving in for extended periods of time when they needed help. This made a big impression and likely impacted Sharon's resolve to help others while paving the way for her education and subsequent career choices. She attended Saint Benedict College in St. Joseph, MN, receiving a degree in Sociology in 1962.

Sharon married Joe Adelmeyer and had two children, Katie born in Mankato, MN, and Joey, born in Juneau, AK. The family moved several times due her husband's work with the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs), living on three different Native American reservations. These included San Carlos (AZ), Eagle Butte (SD), and Fort Hall (ID). Life during this time included interesting people, outside the box scenarios and beautiful places. The family ended up back in Juneau and eventually she and Joe divorced.

Sharon immersed herself in her career at Catholic Community Services in Juneau, AK, where she was employed as the Executive Director. While in that role, she entered the Master of Social Work program at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, considered at the time the front runner in Geriatric Social Work. She graduated number one in her class, a source of pride and inspiration for both herself and her family. Her boss during the majority of her tenure with CCS was Bishop Michael Kenny, a man whom Sharon had the utmost respect for and whom she called not only boss but also friend. The job also afforded her the opportunity to meet her future husband, Jim Rebar, and Sister Helena, who became a dear and trusted friend. Other close friends, included Bob Piggot, Steve Hamilton, Jackie Damon, Pat Denny, Kay Smith, DeeAnn Grummett, and Bill and Kay Diebels and many more.

Sharon relocated from Juneau, AK, to Minneapolis-St.Paul, MN, in 1997. She was the Administrator of Aging Services at Catholic Charities, the Executive Director for Little Brother's, and after retiring, began a new career of volunteering. She was determined to get into the Peace Corps and take her volunteerism abroad. She had short stints in Tbilisi, Georgia and the Philippines. But that was not to be her life, and Sharon volunteered closer to home at the Learning in Style School for four years, then joined the Americorps Vista program. The Americorps led her to working at the Lao Center of MN. She took great pleasure in meeting new people, and learning their life stories. Inquisitive by nature, engaged in the daily news, a voracious reader and a world explorer, are all apt descriptions of the life she led.

While in the Twin Cities, she connected with her lifelong childhood friends, her extended family, and made many new friends.

Sharon is survived by her daughter Katie (John) Kasel and son, Joe (Mary) Adelmeyer, and grandchildren, Cody(Abbie) Kasel, Dillon ( Mary) Kasel, Kristen (Kyle) Holverson, Alexa (Ian) Simpson, and great grandchildren, Isla Kasel, Cohen Holverson, James and Mathieu Simpson. She is also survived by her brother Michael ( Gerri) Growette, and special cousin, Jackie (Tom) Glowack.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brother, Joe Growette, and her second husband, Jim Rebar.

Sharon will be interred at the Shrine of St. Therese in Juneau, AK, near her beloved friend, Bishop Michael Kenny. If you are inclined to donate in her name, please send donations to Learning in Style School, Minneapolis, MN. Lisschool.org or to the National Shrine of St. Therese, Juneau, AK, shrineofsttherese.org.