Phyllis Sharbono, 81

Phyllis Lucille Sharbono (Van Ness) was born April 8, 1940, in Ronan. She passed away Jan. 5, 2022, at age 81.

She was the third oldest and the first daughter born in a family of 11 children. She was raised on a cattle/dairy farm, where she helped with cooking and cleaning with extra chores during the branding season. She attended first through eighth grade in the Round Butte School, and high school in Ronan. She graduated in 1958. While in school she was involved in 4-H and won a purple ribbon on her homemade bread. Her graduation gift from her mother was a car trip with her brother, George. They drove to Goodland, Kan., on the prairie to see her mother’s family.

She worked at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula with her future mother-in-law, who introduced her to her future husband, Marvin Sharbono. They were married in 1960 and they had five children together. They were married for 50 years. He passed away in October 2010. While married they lived in Deer lodge, Florence, Missoula and in Renton, Wash., before settling in Ronan in 1975.

She worked numerous jobs, including stints at St. Pat’s Hospital, Woolworths, Hillside Manor Rest Home in Missoula, numerous cafes, and the Ronan Police Department. Her hobbies included sewing, quilting, crocheting and gardening. She passed away from lung cancer.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, George and Evalina Van Ness; brothers Charlie Van Ness and Jerry Van Ness; sister Marrion Clairmont; nephews Brian Van Ness, Scotty McClure, Troy Van Ness and Jason Van Ness; and her husband of 50 years, Marvin Sharbono.

She is survived by her five children, Glen and (Lorie) Sharbono, Bonnie McCauley, Julie Allen, Robbin (Kevin) Bauer and Kristie (Scott) Baker; 17 grandchildren — Shawn O’Donnell, Jesse, Dustin and Kirby (Sharbono), Jolene, Tyler, Loren and Roberta (McCauley), Jordan (Allen), Chase, Vannessa, Melissa, Devin, Blaine and Aspen (Bauer), and Danielle and Ray Jr. (Dalke); and 33 great-grandchildren, with one on the way. Her remaining siblings are George (Marge) Van Ness of Dodge, Wash., Roy (Fay) Van Ness of Arlee, Robin (Judy) Van Ness of Pablo, Paul Van Ness of Ronan, Rodney (Peggy) Van Ness of Polson, Joe Van Ness of Reno, Nev., and sister Gail (Jack) Clark of Tacoma, Wash., along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A service will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12 at the Terrace Lake Community Church in Ronan. There will be a viewing from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Shrider-Thompson Funeral home in Ronan.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation in her name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at www.shriderthompson.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Shrider-Thompson Funeral Home.