Sharon Kay (Rhodes) Becker

Sharon K. (Rhodes) Becker, Red Wing, MN, died on January 8th, 2024 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems, Red Wing, MN.  At the time of her death, she had retired from a career in higher education. After a long fight with cancer, she passed peacefully, surrounded by her family.

Sharon was born November 14, 1949, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She was born to Vernon and Dorothy (Lemke) Rhodes of Menomonie. She attended school in Menomonie and graduated from Menomonie High School in 1967. After graduation she attended cosmetology school, worked, married and gave birth to three children while living in Eau Claire. In 1982 she attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout. While enrolled as a full-time student she also worked full-time at UW-Stout. She received a bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies, Master’s in Education and an Ed.S. in Guidance and Counseling. While employed and working at UW-Stout she was divorced and adopted a child. Sharon married Jon Becker in 1993.  During her employment in higher education, she specialized in the development, revitalization and organization of career services offices at a number of community colleges and university environments. She placed a strong emphasis on multicultural and disadvantaged services and programs.  She was dedicated to building relationships with faculty, staff, students, employers and alumni. Managing a dual career, life was challenging and required the family to live in several communities in Wisconsin, Arizona and Arkansas.  Throughout her life she was a member of several civic and religious organizations and served on numerous boards and committees. She retired from higher education at Arkansas State University in 2012. Upon retiring from education, she served in the role as executive director of Riverbend Cooperative, Red Wing, Minnesota. For the past several years she owned and operated her own business. During her bout with cancer, she busied herself with her talented artistic skills.  She will be sorely missed by family and friends.

Sharon is preceded in death by her mother and father, Vernon and Dorothy.  She is survived by her husband, Jon; sons, Chad (Janet) Johnson, and Aaron Johnson; and daughters, Christel Johnson and Alyssa (Cameron) Riegelman; four grandchildren, Kotter, Jeremiah, and Gibson Johnson and Atlas Riegelman; and sisters, brother, and in-laws.

Sharon will be cremated and laid to rest at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Menomonie, Wisconsin.

Funeral services will be held at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel 602 Plum Street, Red Wing, MN, on Friday, January 12th, at 2:00 pm with visitation 1 hour prior. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.