Sharon Evelyn Wheat

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Sharon Evelyn (Walker) Wheat at the age of 83 on February 19, 2024 at the Wheat Ranch in Dillon, Montana. She passed away peacefully after weeks of being surrounded by her family. Born on December 1, 1940 in Big Piney, Wyoming, Sharon's family soon settled on a ranch near Florence, Montana. That is where Sharon developed a love for the ranch life and a nurturing spirit blossomed amidst animals and farming. In Missoula, Sharon found her lifelong partner, Harris Wheat and they married in 1977. Together they crafted their forever home on the Wheat Ranch in Dillon in 1994.

She is survived by her husband Harris Wheat, her daughter Betty Stuart and her children Mike and Becky Stuart, her daughter Barbra Bennett and her husband Don, and their children, Melissa and Mike Rausch, Kellen Bennett, and Blayne and Brian Furey and Sharon's grandson, Daniel Harris. Her great- grandchildren are Jimmy and Molly Stuart, and Andon, Murphy and Shaw Rausch. Step sons Weston (Lori) Wheat, Ken Wheat, Chris Wheat and Jay (Sharie) Wheat. Sharon is also survived by her sisters, Betty (Karl) Sorenson, and Patti (Hal) Haugen, brother Bill (Doreen) Walker, and many cherished nieces and nephews. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents James P. and Evelyn Walker, her daughter Beverly Harris, son-in-law Jim Stuart and siblings Mary & Ken Mikesell, Dan & Shirley Walker and Charles (Buck) & Sue Walker.

Sharon's kitchen was her sanctuary, where she poured her heart into crafting ranch-style feasts and decadent chocolate cakes. She was a tornado in the kitchen, and lending a hand meant you better be able to stay out of her way and watch for open cabinet doors. Holidays spurred a baking frenzy, with hundreds of cookies making their way from the oven to Folgers coffee cans, which were stored in the freezer so that homemade cookies could be shared with close friends, family and ranch hands all year long.

Camping trips and boating adventures on Montana lakes were cherished memories for Sharon and is where many of her lifelong friendships were formed. Sharon treasured the bustling weekend garage sales searching for bargains and reveling in the company of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Sharon had a special bond with all of her animals, especially for the bum lambs, which found refuge in her living room many lambing seasons. Whether tending to litters of American Eskimo, sheep, horses, cows or humans, Sharon's nurturing spirit knew no bounds. Her greatest joy came from watching her great grandchildren explore the Wheat Ranch, marveling at the baby lambs and eagerly lending a hand in their care.

In her roles as wife, mother, grandmother and especially great-grandmother, Sharon's love was deep and unconditional, leaving an indelible mark on all who knew her. Though she may have left this world, her memory will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her warmth and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to HoneyBee Hospice located at 1000 State Highway 91S, Building B, in Dillon, Montana 59725. A celebration of Sharon's life will be held this Spring at the Wheat Ranch.