Sharon Laabs Obituary

Sharon (Lindberg) Laabs, age 77, formerly of Ironwood, MI passed away peacefully with her daughters and caregiver by her side June 29, 2025 following a lengthy illness. She was born April 3, 1948 in Michigan, daughter of the late John Ruona and Mayme (Niemi) Ruona and was the eighth sibling of nine children. She was a graduate of Luther L. Wright High School, Class of 1966. Sherri married her high school sweetheart, the late Charles "Chas" Lindberg, in July 1968. After Chas' passing she re-married the late Donelle Laabs in 2000. Sharon spent her younger years at home raising three children and supporting Lindberg's Transmission Repair. She was a dedicated wife, loving mother, and kept busy running the household. She was a Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader, PTO member, volleyball player, and a professional seamstress. She supported her husband during his racing career and her children at the Ice Crystals figure skating club. Sherri traveled to many sporting events, spent many cold hours at the ice rink, and sewed many skating outfits for her girls and others. She also specialized in making Cabbage patch dolls, Care Bears, and special dresses for her daughters. She loved tending to her vegetable garden and flowers in the summers in Ironwood. She earned her Master Gardener title in 2002 and had a Master Canner certificate from the Michigan State University extension program. Sherri kept her yard beautiful with a variety of plants and flowers. Sherri was an exceptional typist and in 1985 she began her 26-year career in medical records by earning an associate's degree in medical transcription from Gogebic Community College (GCC). After 10 years in transcription at Grand View (Aspirus) Hospital, she went on to become manager of Medical Records at the Memorial Medical Hospital in Ashland, WI for 5 years. Sherri worked for 1 year at the Aspirus Hospital in Wausau, WI to better care for her husband Chas when he grew ill. She returned to Memorial Medical Center in Ashland, WI for 9 more years until her retirement. Sharon also taught medical records for 1 year at GCC, after obtaining her health information certificate in 1993 from the American Health Information Management Association. In her later years Sherri loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping trips with Donelle. During retirement she also spent her time with her grandchildren, walking in Ironwood, and gardening. She spent her last 7 years in Sacramento, California with her daughter Lisa's family and enjoyed the lovely gardens, scenery, and warm weather. She had a very special caregiver, Seini, and they enjoyed many days together walking, listening to music, and dancing. Sherri had a wonderful sweet gentle spirit and was very humble. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and helper of anyone in need. She will be missed by everyone who knew her. Sherri is survived by two daughters Cariann (Kasieta) Lindberg of Ironwood MI, Lisa (John Meyers) Lindberg of Sacramento CA; Daughter in law Maria Lindberg of Green Bay WI; Grandchildren Justin Kasieta, Chasz Kasieta, Isaac (Kasieta) Lindberg, Sanna (Kasieta) Rahn, Colton Rahn, Garrett Meyers, Eland Meyers, Alyssa Kitzman, and Spencer Kitzman. Seven siblings: Ellen Casagranda of Caspian MI, Jean Volksen of Maitland FL, William Ruona of Ironwood MI, Lorraine Brown of Clermont FL, Judy Christian of Wautoma WI, Albert (LaVerne) Ruona of Clermont FL, Deborah (Jim) Greene of Apple Valley MN; Brother in law Dave (Betty) Lindberg; Along with many nephews, nieces, cousins, and loving friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 30 years Charles Lindberg in 1998; second husband of 9 years Donelle Laabs in 2009; son Brian Lindberg in 2024; son in law Jeff Kasieta in 2014; her mother Mayme Ruona in 1993; her father John Ruona in 2000; and brother infant Robert Ruona in 1944. A memorial ceremony will be celebrated by Sharon's family August 1, 2025 at 10 AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Ironwood MI with visitation at 9:30 AM, she will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood MI. A luncheon will follow at the family farm on Airport Rd. Lakeside Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements, to share a memory online visit lakesidememorialchapel.com.