Sharon Stephens

Sharon Stephens

September 16, 1935 - April 24, 2025

Bloom where you are planted. Sharon Graehl Stephens took this phrase literally. Planted in Missoula, Mont., on September 16, 1935, by Francis "Jimmie" and Edith Graehl, Sharon sprouted in Bonner Park. She began to blossom at Paxson, Roosevelt, and Missoula County High School where she developed life-long friendships and excellent penmanship.

Sharon was fully blooming at the University of Montana. While taking business classes, she walked out to her car after class and found handsome flirt, Jack Stephens, waiting in the back seat. He claimed he had a leg injury and needed a ride across campus. Sharon religiously locked her doors after that.

Sharon worked for Graehl Motor Service, her father's Texaco station and later GMC dealership until Jack showed up with a ring, a plan to elope, and an offer to put down roots in Medicine Lake, Mont., There, they welcomed son James. When an opportunity came for Jack to work for Montana Power Company, the family found their way back to Missoula where they completed their arrangement, adding daughter Jeri.

In 1976, Sharon became a widow. She summoned her strength for her greatest role in life - to be both mother and father to her two young children, instilling in them the notion of living within one's means, the necessity to recycle and reuse, and the art of listening. Sharon was a consumer advocate and a bit of a detective. She delighted in assisting with the MCHS Class of '53 reunions, and loved tracking down classmates who were out of the loop. She treasured her time with her class lunch bunch and breakfast crew. She tended the small garden she created with the utmost care, until she could no more on April 24, 2025.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents and husband; and is survived by her children, Jim and Jeri. Garden City Funeral Home is handling the arrangements, but there will be no service at Sharon's request. The family may have a celebration of life at a later date.

Whether blooming where one is planted means being a proud Missoula native or making the most out of the situation one is in, Sharon succeeded at both.