On the morning of July 19, 2020, Sharon Kearnes lost her battle with cancer.
Sharon was born on October 2, 1951 in Glendive, Montana to Roy and Emma Kearnes. She was raised and educated with two older brothers and one younger. She received her college education at Dickinson State and after graduating, she taught in Little Falls, Minnesota for 3 years before returning to Montana, ending up in Miles City. She worked at Miles Community College in the Career Development Program until her retirement in 2015. Sharon was very active in state, local and federal government spending 14 years on the city council, Relay for Life and Special Olympics. In 1994, she helped her brother raise his boys after losing his wife to cancer. Hoping someday for a cure, her strong will and faith kept her fighting to the end.
She enjoyed fishing, playing cards and family time. She also enjoyed flowers and was very appreciative to Creative Corner for the flowers they gave her to brighten up the dark days in her fight with cancer.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Bill Zinda and brother Jerry. She is survived by her brothers Roger and Roy, stepbrothers Ted and Lyle Zinda; stepsister Vicki Zinda; nieces and nephews: Cindy, Kevin, Brent, Kelly, Roger Jr., Roy “Scooter”, Brady, Derek and Shane.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2020 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 24, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the Dawson Memorial Cemetery in Glendive. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Friends raise your glass and say goodbye with a smile and laugh, remember the good days.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday July 23, 2020
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Memorial Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday July 24, 2020
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Graveside Service
2:00 p.m.
Friday July 24, 2020
Dawson Memorial Park
Glendive, Montana 59330
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday July 23, 2020
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Memorial Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday July 24, 2020
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Graveside Service
2:00 p.m.
Friday July 24, 2020
Dawson Memorial Park
Glendive, Montana 59330
Share
MARTHA CRANDALL says
My sympathy
Harriet Walber says
My sympathy goes out to all of Sharon’s family. She was my dear friend and although distance kept us apart we could always pick up where we left off. I will always treasure the great times, the laughter, and the mischief in which we happened to engage. My prayer for Sharon is that she rest in peace after this long battle. Heaven will now inherit a little humor and I can hear her laughter already. Love and best wishes always, Harriet Walber
Guy Lund says
Our sincerest condolences to all of Sharon’s family. After many years of working for Sharon, I understand what a strong woman she was to the end. Sharon always fought her battles to the end so I know she fought the good fight all the way to the end. R.I.P my friend.
Denise Harvey says
What a precious soul!!!! She was a valiant lady with such compassion! She will be a valiant guardian angel with much compassion also!!!
Take care and prayers for you all!
Shirley Skinner says
Prayers and sincere condolences to Sharon’s family. Sharon was my boss for several years when our program was contracted with miles Community College. I learned many things from this very strong woman, and I think the one that stands out so clear in my mind to this day is this. I was complaining one day at a staff meeting about something the State was wanting us to do. She finally stopped me and asked me what my solution was. I admitted I did not really have one. She told me she did not want to hear another complaint from me until I had a solution to offer! 🙂 She was extremely intelligent, she could run circles around most of the folks in Helena, she could be a tough boss, but one thing we ALWAYS knew, she had our backs! She will be missed!
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
So very sorry that Miles City has lost this hardworking, wonderful person named Sharon Kearnes. I’m sure she gave this evil disease a run for the money. RIP
Shelley Hansen says
My thoughts and prayers are with Sharon’s family and friends at this difficult time. I worked for many years for Sharon at MCC, Career Development. She will be missed.
Patricia Moore-Joshi says
So sorry to hear of Sharon’s passing. I’ll always remember her great sense of humor and infectious laugh.
Cheryl Klemp says
Sorry to hear of Sharons passing. Bless her family it is going to be tough. RIP
Beth (Oswald) Brunk says
I so enjoyed working with Sharon at the college. What a kind person and a wealth of knowledge. Always fought for the students to succeed. She will be so missed.
Lynn Anderson says
Roy, Brady and Family,
I am saddened to hear of Sharon’s passing, but she is no longer in discomfort. She was such a caring person that wanted the very best for her family. My prayer is for God to give you peace during this difficult time.
Karen Losing says
I am so sorry to hear about your loss of Sharon. She was such a go getter and had a great sense of humor. Now that I know she was raised with 3 brothers, I understand why she was such a tough cookie. I worked with her at MCC and she did a great job of running the career development program. Please know you all are in my thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.
Sue Stanton Morlock says
Sharon was an amazing, dynamic woman. She had a caring, compassionate nature perfected by her wicked wit and phenomenal intelligence. I will cherish fond memories of Sharon. I send my deepest condolences to her family.
Garth Sleight says
When I met Sharon at Miles Community College 34 years ago, it did not take me long to learn that she had a tenacious and unrelenting passion for advocating for social justice and for helping people overcome whatever barrier they needed in order to achieve their potential. My sincerest condolence to all of Sharon’s family members and friends for their loss. She was definitely one of a kind.
Scott and Karla Elder says
There is a saying “that people come into your life for a reason, a season, or a life time”. Sharon’s reason was a better tomorrow for all, her season are the years of working for others, and a lifetime dedicated to her faith, family, friend and her community.
Thank you, Sharon, for your love and joy that we will cherish for the rest of our lifetime. Rest in peace my friend, rest in peace.
Nena Saunders says
Rest In Peace friend… although years and distance came between us, I know you continued to make a difference with everything you touched. I’ve never laughed so hard as the times we spent together. You were such a wonderful, special, loving, determined and tenacious woman…. many people are better because of you. Sympathy to your family & countless friends❤️ Nena & Tom Saunders-Layton, Utah
Lissa Power says
Roy, Brady and Family,
I was saddened to learn of Sharon’s passing. Please accept my condolences. Sharon supported Relay for Life, an organization which endeavors to find a cure for Cancer. As you know, Sharon became involved in relay for life when she lost her sister in law to Cancer. It’s very sad that Cancer has also taken Sharon from your family. I worked with Sharon on the city council where she was a strong advocate for what she believed was right. I also worked with Sharon in the WorC Program. Sorry Sharon’s time with all of you was cut short. Wishing you peace.
Penny Zimmerman says
Oh Sharon, my friend and classmate. You will be missed by many! Hugs to her family! Heaven gained a delightful and funny angel!
Arlene Gieser says
I was shock to learn of Sharon’s passing. Sharon’s mother and my mother were best friends. I’ve know Sharon for a long time. Sharon helped me so much when I went to MCC the first time. Sometimes we would sit and talk about our mothers, other times it was about her younger brother Roy and his kids. She was so caring, loving, funny and an all around wonderful person. She was to young to leave us, but GOD must have needed her help in heaven. SOAR HIGH SHARON SOAR, YOU HAVE EARNED THOSE BEAUTIFUL WINGS YOU NOW HAVE. We have another angel to watch over everything. Make sure our mothers behave themselves, I can still hear them laughing at something. RIP dear lady you deserve this rest.
Dawn Marie Kellmer-Anderson says
My sympathy to Sharon’s family. She was a wonderful person. ❤🙏
Tom and Kathy Wankel says
Our sincere condolences to Sharon’s family! I worked with Sharon at Miles Community College for many years and always admired Sharon’s commitment to supporting students! She was an incredible, tireless, advocate for the under-represented and under-served. I’ll also remember Sharon for her quick, sharp, wit and laugh! Wishing you God’s blessing of love and peace.
Deborah and Terry Hanson says
We remember when Sharon first arrived in town. Who could forget her smile, her wit and her laugh. Then she set to
work and with her vivaciousness and tenaciousness accomplished so much for our community. She was a woman
we will never forget. Our deepest sympathy to Brady and Roy and to her family and friends that she leaves behind.
Rest in peace friend.
Curtis Fillafer says
Goodbye Sharon longtime friend. To Roy, Brady, and all of Sharon’s family, you are in my thoughts and prayers during the difficult times ahead. Sharon was a great woman and a friend to everyone. She will be missed by the community she helped in many ways.
linda m davis says
I find it sad my cousin lost the battle with cancer, But may she rest in peace. Pain free at last . my brother george and I stopped to see her one time many years ago. She alway sent christmas card with an update on her life. I will miss that. your cousin Linda kearnes davis.
Rae Losing says
What a tremendous loss, I worked with Sharon at the college for a few years and she was a strong and joyful presence.
suzanne gutz says
My deepest sympathies to the family. I met Sharon at Miles Community College and she changes my life . R.I.P.