Sharon Rae (Beaudet) Gookin was born January 23, 1939 in Baker, MT. She was the second of three daughters born to Raymond L. and Mildred (Cate) Beaudet. In her early years Sharon and the rest of her Family followed her father’s work around various places before finally settling in the Miles City area where she began attending school at Sacred Heart and eventually graduating with the Class of 1957.
After Graduation, she began working as a Telephone Operator for the Mountain Bell Telephone Company then later as a secretary for the Miles City Mercantile.
Sharon met Marvin H. Gookin a Cowboy from Ismay, MT and the rest is History. On February 27, 1960 she married Marvin and the two began writing their own Love Story. In 1960 Marvin and Sharon moved to Marmarth, ND to start working as Ranch Hands for Bud & Mary Lee Brown on the Brown Ranch. Marvin and Sharon were then blessed with two children, Kim and Jim.
In 1970, Marvin and Sharon made the decision to purchase their own Ranch a few miles South of Baker, MT. While Marvin was running his trucking company, Sharon began working various jobs at the Fallon County Times Newspaper, The Ford Garage, as well as running her own Bookkeeping service for several local businesses such as Verke Refrigeration, KC Welding, K & R Trucking, Straub Heating and Cooling and the Gookin Ranch. When she wasn’t keeping books or chasing her kids, she would help Marvin with anything he needed help with.
Sharon was extremely active in the Community, holding positions with the Catholic Daughters/CCW-President, VCCW- Treasurer, SMART- Board of Directors, Eastern Montana Economic Development Authority-Board of Directors, Eastern Montana Landowners Group- as Secretary Treasurer and was also the Treasurer for the Friends of FMC Foundation. With Agriculture also being an important part of Sharon’s Life, she spent many hours working as a 4-H Leader, FFA Alumni (Secretary Treasurer), Baker Cowbelles, and the Baker Beef Boosters. Even though she was very busy offering her time to the community, she always knew that being a Ranch Wife & Mother was her most important role.
Throughout Sharon’s life, she was a pillar of Faith and very devoted Catholic and did her best to pass these values on to those around her, even in her final days, her Faith never wavered. Sharon also had many other things that brought her joy, including spending time with her family and friends, dancing, traveling, gardening, horseback riding and cooking/baking , Playing cards (including her favorite game, Phase 10), attending Rodeos, and if there was some good Cowboy Poetry anywhere you could find her and Marvin (and sometimes their friends) on the road to attend.
In early 2024 Sharon decided to finally retire to the Ranch to care for Marvin as his health declined and in October of 2024 she lost Marvin to Heart Complications. Shortly after losing Marvin, Sharon was able to do a few things that she enjoyed such as going on walks in the hills on the ranch, spending time with her sisters, helping Kim feed the cattle into the early winter and had made plans to take a couple of trips to Florida and Arizona. Unfortunately, in February, Sharon was diagnosed with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer that aggressively took over her once healthy body. After a Valiant 47 day fight Sharon passed away on the First Day of Spring, March 20, 2025.
Sharon is survived by her daughter, Kim Gookin of Baker, MT; son, Jimmy Gene (Melisa) Gookin of Miles City, MT; Grandchildren; Amber Roberts, Dusty (Zach) Elmore, Gus Cumber, Trista Peck, Kayla (Chris) Carpenter, Kateel (Landon ) Melchor, 12 Great Grandchildren, Sisters, Shirley Gierke and Mary Bernadine Schieffert both of Miles City and Numerous Nieces and Nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Marvin Gookin; Parents, Raymond & Mildred (Cate) Beaudet; in laws, Samuel and Anna Belle (Johnston) Gookin.
In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be made to FMC Foundation of Baker, or the Outreach Clinic of Miles City, MT 59301.
Service Schedule
Rosary & Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Thursday March 27, 2025
Stevenson Funeral Home
Baker, Montana 59313
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Friday March 28, 2025
St. John's Catholic Church
Baker, Montana 59313
Service Schedule
Rosary & Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Thursday March 27, 2025
Stevenson Funeral Home
Baker, Montana 59313
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Friday March 28, 2025
St. John's Catholic Church
Baker, Montana 59313
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Chris,kayla & kids says
Love you grandma. I know grandpa was there with open arms waiting for you….we know you two are riding those horses together again..
Starla Gundlach says
Sharon was a very special lady. Always shared her beautiful smile and blessed many with a good conversation.
She will be missed by so many. To all her family and friends, I am so sorry for your loss.
Sandi Kohones and Jon Wilkerson says
Jon and I are so shocked and saddened by this news. Sharon was such a wonderful person and will be missed by all who knew her.
Lynn Rae Ziebarth says
Miss you auntie Sharon, you did such a wonderful job of caring for Marvin and family. I know you will be well taken care of now . At Marvins funeral you stated I won’t be long and I will join him. I said don’t get any bright ideas, but you knew the time was to join him. I’m sure you two will continue on in the next life. Enjoy. Miss you
Cindy Kostrba says
Kim, Jim and families, so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She was such a wonderful person and always had a smile on her face and a helping hand. Loved her and Marvin so much. May God hold you in his arms in this difficult time. Cindy (Brown) Kostrba and Tom
Eugene and Connie Bankey says
Jim, sorry for the loss of your mother.Our prayers and condolences to your family
Rebecca Gookin says
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for your loss.
Deb Bartholomew and Family says
Kim, Jim and families;
So very sorry for the loss of your Beautiful Sharon. Sharon always had a beautiful smile on her face and always enjoyed her company when she and Marvin came to visit. She will be truly missed by All who knew and loved her. Always remember “When A Loved One Becomes A Memory That Memory Becomes A Treasure”. She will always be a Treasure in your hearts and not forgotten. Treasure your memories as they will help get you thru difficult days and times ahead. My thoughts, prayers and hugs to you all.
Garth Sleight says
Thirty-five years ago, I had Sharon as a student in my college writing class at MCC. She wrote a comparison-contrast essay that I loved so much that I still have it and read it every once in a while to bring a smile to my face and marvel at her insightfulness. She was just 51 at the time. Sharon was a delightful person and count it a great privilege to have known her so many years ago. My condolences to the family and friends of Sharon.
Marilyn & Jim May says
Our deepest sympathy to all of you in the loss of a dear mom and grandma. She & Marvin were dear friends all of my life. So glad I got to see them in their beautiful home & yard last summer. Now they are together. Blessings to all of you..
David & Roxie Niemi says
So sorry to hear of Sharon’s passing. Great memories of the conversations with her and Marvin.
God Bless