Cordell A. Rebne

Cordell Anthony Rebne, 48, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, passed away Thursday, April 26, 2012 in Apache Junction, Arizona surrounded by loved ones. Cory was born to Einar and Florence(Kvigne) Rebne on May 28, 1963 in Kenmare, North Dakota and was raised in Guymon, Oklahoma for twelve years. Cory then moved with his family to Detroit Lakes in 1978, where he graduated from high school in 1981. After high school he attended Brainerd Community College, studying Natural Resource Technology. After the first year, Cory had an internship at Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge working with maintenance. It was during this internship in 1983, that he was involved in an accident causing him to become quadriplegic for the next twenty-eight years. Through extensive rehab, Cory entered the Courage Rehabilitation Center in Golden Valley, Minnesota in 1987. Cory was transitioned into the position of Information Specialist at the refuge helping with visitors. Cory was a full time seasonal employee through 1995 and then medical issues, forced him to part time seasonal. Cory worked at the refuge for almost twenty years, before retiring in 2008. His admiration for nature and the outdoors was evident in his work. Cory also had various caregivers, including his "second family", Lynn, Ellie & Erin Schirmer as well as Paul Casperson. They were always by his side, taking care of his every need. Starting in 1993, Cory spent his winters in Arizona, where he enjoyed the warm sunshine and friendly atmosphere. Cory had a series of collections with one of them including his love of classic cars, where he enjoyed riding in them and showing them in various events with his "mechanic" friend, Nate. He also enjoyed collecting Marilyn Monroe memorabilia and "hot wheels" cars. Cory liked watching game shows, playing trivia and cheering on his favorite sport teams. His family and friends were also a very important part of his life, including his good friend, Jerry Johnson. Despite his paralysis, Cory had an incredible inner strength and spirit that many admired and he had a way of always putting people at ease, when they were around him. After meeting Cory , people would not see the wheelchair, but instead saw Cory for who he was; a guy with a great sense of humor and the type of person who did not complain outwardly along his travels and remained grateful for what he did have. He always said there was someone else, who had it worse than him. Cory is survived by his sister, Robin (Dave) Burkel of Frazee, MN; nieces and nephews, Megan, Grant, Peter, Bandi and Heather; along with two aunts, one great-nephew and many cousins. Cory was preceded in death by his parents, Einar and Florence Rebne, maternal and paternal grandparents, and brother, Allen Rebne.