Sharan D. Gardner

Sharan D. Gardner, 67, of Billings, passed away with her daughter and son by her side in her home on Monday, Aug. 24, 2011, of congestive heart failure.

Sharan was born on May 9, 1944, in Roundup, a daughter of Darrell and Ruth Abbott. She grew up on the family ranch on Flatwillow Creek, attending the country school. When it came time for Sharan, being the oldest daughter, to attend high school, her parents moved her and her sister to Lewistown. There she attended the Fergus High School, graduating Class of 1962.

In 1965, Sharan married her high school sweetheart, Bob Gardner. Following their marriage, Sharan and Bob began their family in Seattle with the birth of their daughter, Kristi, in 1966, and son, J.D., in 1969. Later in 1969, the family returned to settle in Billings. Sharan worked part-time at Fashion Fabrics until her children began school. From there, she then began working for WYO-BEN & Gibson Co. in accounts payable, before being and spanning over 14 years in the banking industry in different financial departments for Montana Bancsystem, Inc., Northwest Bank and finally Wells Fargo. In June of 2002, Sharan suffered a heart attack, six months after the passing of her husband, Bob, of 36 years of marriage. Sharan had had a heart condition since 1982, but in June of 2002, she began early retirement due to her health problems and recovery from her heart attack. This did not stop Sharan, for beginning in 2003, she volunteered at Aspen Meadows, primarily in the gift shop, for eight years. As well as, with the aid of MT Vocational Rehab, returning to work part-time at various businesses from 2007 to 2010.

Throughout all of Sharan's life, she enjoyed her beautiful flowers in her yard, designing and making many woodworks, quilts, cross-stitch and copious crafts for her home, besides gifts for others. Sharan was blessed with a loving, caring and generous spirit that touched and inspired the lives of all she encountered, with her family and friends being her greatest joy.

Sharan is survived by her daughter, Kristi, and her son, J.D., both of Billings; her sister, Donna (Tom) Lowry of Grass Range; as well as a nephew and niece. Sharan is preceded in death by her husband, Bob Gardner; and her parents, Darrell and Ruth Abbott.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. Cremation has taken place. Interment of her cremated remains will follow services at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park, with a reception to follow.

Kristi and J.D. would like to give special thanks to the staff of Rocky Mountain Hospice and Visiting Angels for making it possible to care for our mom, Sharan, in the comfort of her home during the remaining days of her life. Thus, we ask memorials be sent to Rocky Mountain Hospice.