A murderous fugitive who hid from American and Mexican authorities in small-town Alberta for many years was a bridge-playing, banana bread-baking ex-realtor, in keeping with her former buddies and neighbours.
Dee Glabus, as she was recognized in Taber, Alta., was truly Sharon Kinne, one in every of America’s most wished criminals.
Kinne was tried for 3 murders — her husband, her lover’s spouse and a Mexican man she met in a bar — in Kansas Metropolis and Mexico Metropolis earlier than she escaped from a Mexican jail in 1969, 5 years right into a 13-year sentence.
Authorities have been by no means capable of monitor down Kinne after her escape.
Pals ‘in shock’
“I can’t believe it. I’m in shock,” stated Vena Vandersteen. “That’s just insane.”
Dee Glabus used to play bridge along with her former buddies and neighbours, who gathered on Thursday at a Taber seniors centre. (Erin Collins/CBC)
Vandersteen stated Glabus was a proficient needlepoint artist who as soon as gave her a hand-made quilt as a present.
Glabus was additionally a meals financial institution volunteer, typically supplying them with do-it-yourself banana bread.
The group of girls realized to play bridge collectively, taught by Phyllis Katrusik.
“She came here to play bridge with us and liked it,” stated Katrusik. “And we were always anxious to get players, we’re rounding up players whenever we can.”
A photograph of Dee Glabus in her later years in Taber. (Vena Vandersteen)
“How can you fool the whole world year after year?” she puzzled.
Dee Glabus got here to Taber in 1973 with husband Jim Glabus. The 2 owned the native Taber Motel earlier than working collectively as realtors.
The bridge girls stated after Jim died in 1979 on the age of 38, Dee was overlooked of his will and fought it in courtroom.
“We just all felt sorry and wanted to help her,” stated Katrusik.
Husband died at age 38
A couple of years after his demise, Dee Glabus married a person named Willie Ell. The pair have been collectively for 30 years till Ell’s demise in 2011 on the age of 79.
Dee Glabus died in Taber in 2022. She’d lived within the city since 1973 and at one level owned the Taber Motel along with her first Taber husband, Jim Glabus. (Monty Kruger/CBC)
It’s unknown if both of Glabus’s Alberta husbands have been conscious of her prison previous.
Taber’s mayor, Andrew Prokop, actually had no concept, in keeping with his spokesperson.
Funeral dwelling fingerprints
Canadian police have been tapped for help in 2023, after the Jackson County sheriffs obtained an nameless tip that fugitive Sharon Kinne was residing in southern Alberta as Dee Glabus.
“It just so happens that someone had that tip and was not willing to release it until after her death,” stated Sgt. Dustin Love.
Love stated Dee Glabus was fingerprinted by the funeral dwelling after she died.
Dee Glabus owned the Taber Motel along with her husband after which labored alongside him as a realtor. She performed bridge and in addition volunteered in the neighborhood. (Jackson County Sheriff’s Workplace )
He subpoenaed the information and was capable of verify the tip — Dee Glabus was Sharon Kinne, one in every of America’s most wished.
Again on the bridge desk, Vandersteen revisits a life lesson she’s imparted to her children.
“I always tell my kids, the truth will set you free someday,” she stated.
“Whatever you do in life, they’ll find out.”
