Charlene Margaret Shepard

Charlene Margaret Shepard passed away at her home on Tuesday, July 29th at the age of 73. Charlene was born April 19, 1941 in Green Prairie Township, Morrison County, Minnesota. She was the 5th child of Graydon and Margaret Shepard. She started her schooling in Garrison North Dakota, where her father was employed at the Garrison Dam Site. She moved several times as the family followed Graydon’s job assignments. Charlene graduated from White Bear Lake High School in 1959 and attended the Minneapolis Community College. Charlene started her career as an assembler with Wilbrecht Electronics. She worked as a Quality Control Supervisor in the medical industry until her retirement from Guidant. After retirement she moved to her cabin on Cross Lake, that she shared with her friend Janet and her faithful dog Annie. Char quickly embraced the community of Pine City and became a member of the Immaculate Conception Church. Char was a Eucharistic Minister providing the homebound with communion and prayers. She was a member of the Legion of Mary and the Sodality Society. She volunteered at the Community Food Shelf, the Homeless Shelter and visited Sharing and Caring Hands with donations. She volunteered as a teacher’s assistant for the children at St. Mary’s Catholic School. The children brought her much joy. Each of them held a special place in Char’s heart. Char enjoyed fishing, telling “Char” jokes and bargain hunting at Goodwill and thrift stores. Char collected musical toys that she loved to show and share with everyone. Char loved people and wanted each person she met to feel special. Her smile and laughter were contagious. Char’s faith in Christ was immense and she shared that faith in her words and in her actions. Char leaves behind a legacy of love. Charlene is survived by her brother Doug Shepard and his wife Rene, sister Patricia Loonan, sister-in-law Marion Shepard, best friend Janet Schmidt, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Graydon & Margaret Shepard, siblings: Mary Jean, Bob, Tom and Teresa. Monsignor Aleksander Suchan will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 2:30 p.m., Friday, August 1st at the Immaculate Conception Church of Pine City. A time of visitation will take place one hour prior to the service also at the church. Interment will be in the Sunset Cemetery in Minneapolis. Memorials are preferred to Immaculate Conception Sodality. Arrangements for Charlene Shepard are with the Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel.