Sharon Helen Kremer

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Sharon Kremer, Sunday, May 26, 2024.  She slipped away peacefully Sunday morning at her home with her husband and grand-daughter by her side. Sharon left this earth with a full life and full heart! She wouldn't want us to be sad about her passing, she would want us to be glad of all the memories we have made, and always remember to laugh unapologetically at the little things in life!

Sharon Helen Welander was born on June 12, 1942 to Lyle and Helen (Beilke) Welander in Minneapolis. She and her older twin sisters Donna and Darlene grew up in Minneapolis. Growing up she loved music, dance and performing; from that she discovered one of her many talents, tap dancing. She even starred on TV for one of her performances. 

When Sharon met Robert “Bob” John Kremer it was love at first sight, they both could still vividly remember their first kiss. They married September 29, 1962, and made their home in Richfield. Together they had two sons Perry and Rob. In June of 1966 they moved to San Diego, California.  It was there Sharon discovered another hidden talent of painting and oil painting became her passion for many years. She could take any photograph and copy it perfectly on canvas! She also had a love for riding motorcycles, she was small but fearless. 

In November, 1971 Sharon and Bob moved back to Minnesota starting off in Centerville, where they ran a bar called Kelly's. Sharon bartended during those years, and this is where she started to earn her well known reputation with locals, as a woman with a big heart, honest soul, feisty attitude, and an uncontrollable laugh that made you laugh out loud yourself. After Sharon and Bob got out of the bar business they moved to McGregor and lived right next to Big Sandy lake. This is where their son Rob finished his years of high school and was the most memorable place Sharon lived.  

In 1984, they then moved to Pine City and bought Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and Sharon worked the front alongside their son Rob.  At KFC many town locals knew her as the “chicken lady”, their first boss, their adoptive grandma, or a familiar face always with a smile. 

In 1991, Sharon and Bob met their first born son Perry after spending years searching for him. Once he was reunited and families were merged, her heart was full, little did she know her heart could grow bigger. In 1993 her son Rob and Angela Kremer gave life to a little girl, her first and only grandchild, her “pooky” Sam. 

In 2004, she decided to retire the “chicken” life, and enjoy traveling the United States RV style with Bob and her granddaughter Sam. She loved to see and experience new things, even if she had to squeeze your hand until you lost circulation, because she was afraid you will fall into the grand canyon, even though we were standing fifty feet from the ledge. This was  only because she loved and cared deeply for her loved ones well-being. In June of  2011 she became a great grandmother to Xander, and again in January of 2017 to Aleksia. She helped raise her granddaughter and her great grandchildren, she loved and spoiled them, especially in any form of winter gear. She never cared for the Minnesota winters, hated the cold and the snow, but she tolerated it, because it was better than poisonous spiders and snakes, year round ants, and anything creepy crawly. 

After her retirement a few of her favorite pastimes were stopping at KFC just to say “hi”, have a chat, play small pranks on people to get a laugh or scare out of you. Shopping at Wal*Mart and finding all the good sales was very important to Sharon! She had so many great qualities and quirks and she will be missed greatly. She had waited patiently for two years to see her son Rob again, now that she's up in heaven with him, may she rest in peace. Until we all meet again.

She is survived by her husband Robert Kremer; son Perry (Tien le) Jurek; granddaughter Samantha (Alex) Schmidt; great grandchildren Xander Stanek, Aleksia Schmidt; sister Darlene Troiano; brother-in-law Donald Werdick; many other relatives and friends.
 
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents Lyle & Helen Welander; son Robert "Rob" Kremer Jr., sister Donna Werdick.

Deacon Gene Biever will officiate funeral services for Sharon: 2:30 PM; Friday, (6/14) at the  Swanson Funeral Chapel with one hour of visitation for friends and family prior to the service. The interment will take place in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Pine City.

 Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel 
 www.FuneralAndCremationService.com