Richard L. Sharar

Mass of Christian Burial for Richard L. Sharar, 79, of Knoxville, will be held Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Knoxville. Family will greet friends prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow the Mass for a continued time of sharing and fellowship. A private interment will be at the Wren Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Catholic Charities or Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

Richard Leland Sharar was born February 14, 1946, in Jackson, Minnesota to Glen and Helen Sharar. Richard had one older sister, Florraine, whose son Kurt was just three years younger than Richard. Richard and Kurt were not only family, but lifelong friends who grew up together near Tuttle Lake. They enjoyed the outdoors fishing and hunting and sharing their youth together. They were often on the edge of getting in trouble and in later years, Kurt was the first to tell of their adventures as Richard sat quietly with a smile.

Richard graduated from Lincoln Central High School in Estherville in 1964. He then attended Estherville Community College for two years before going to Mankato State to earn his teaching degree in 1968.

A blind date at the drive-in changed Richard’s life forever. While the girls went to get snacks Richard told his friend that he was going to marry Junice Flattum. Six months later, on October 12, 1968, he did. Richard and Junice have been blessed in many ways. Together they built a life rich in love and blessings, especially their three children: Jennifer, Krista, and Troy.

Richard taught math and science at Twin Cedars from August of 1968 until he retired in May of 2004. During that time, he also coached junior high football for 24 years encouraging countless students along the way. His love of the outdoors led him to the US Army Corps of Engineers as a Park Ranger at Red Rock from 1974 to 2008, where he took great pride in caring for the land—and keeping campers off the grass.

He will be remembered for his famously bad puns and jokes (which he truly believed were hilarious), his love of sports—especially the Minnesota Vikings and the Iowa Hawkeyes—and his well-seasoned culinary creations, including his chili and Kurt’s seafood soup.

Richard passed away December 8, 2025, at The Cottages in Pella. He was preceded in death by his wife, Junice Sharar, on December 6, 2024; his parents, Glen and Helen Sharar; sister, Florraine Ring; and nephew, Kurt Sharar.

He will be greatly missed by his children: Jennifer (Chris) Arnold, Krista (Kenny) Clark, and Troy (Jen) Sharar; grandchildren: Callie (Jeremy) French, Ethan Arnold, Sydney Clark, Jonathan Clark, Cole Sharar, and Carly Sharar; along with many relatives and friends