Sharon Knudson

Sharon Knudson

76, of Libby

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Sharon J. Staley Knudson, 76, passed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015, at the Libby Care Center. She was born in Lewistown Oct. 5, 1938. Her parents, Don and Donna Staley, were living in Zortman at that time as Don was working at a gold mine there; he was close to being killed in a cave in.

They moved to Spokane, Wash., until Sharon was in the third grade and they moved to Columbia Falls. Sharon was the second born of five sisters, older sister Maxine, and younger sisters Diane, Jaquie and Patricia. Sharon completed her education through high school in Columbia Falls. She moved to Spokane, Wash., for a short time, working at the Sears store downtown.  

Sharon moved back to Columbia Falls and on Aug. 19, 1963, she married Marvin “Dick” Harder. On July 17, 1964, Dick was killed in a car accident one block from his parents’ home on the LaSalle Road by the airport.

On Sept. 2, 1967, Sharon and John Knudson were in a marriage that lasted for 48 years. John was a pipefitter apprentice at that time, so in February of 1968 he was sent to Libby to work on the big dam.

John promised Sharon that in four years they would move back to Columbia Falls, but they grew to love this area in the Kootenai Valley and remained in Libby. On April 10, 1974, they adopted their son Shawn and four years later on March 18, 1978, they adopted their daughter Michelle. Their children and grandchildren brought them much joy through the years.

Sharon was a very gifted oil paint artist and crafter. She loved knitting and crocheting many items for craft shows. She was also very involved in the Cub Scouts, helping Shawn win his first Soap Box Derby. She was also a Girl Scout leader, taking her girls on several campouts across the Canadian border.

She was a very loving mother, dearly loved her grandchildren, Cecelia and Garrett Chapel, and Jack and Justin Caruso. She was preceded in death by her parents and her older sister Maxine Gibson.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, at the United Methodist Church, 713 Main Avenue in Libby, with a luncheon to follow. Interment services will be at 3:30 p.m. in Columbia Falls at the Woodlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memorials may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.