February 15, 1951 – August 21, 2023
Sharon Marie Bastian Hunter passed away at her home in Harrisville, Utah, on August 21, 2023.
Sharon was born on February 15, 1951, to Newell and Vonda Larsen Bastian in Price, Utah. She was the second of five children in the Bastian family. Sharon and her older sister, Daphen, lived with their parents on the Henry Mountains at Trackyte Ranch. It was pretty primitive at that time, living in a log cabin with no electricity, running water or indoor plumbing. Transportation was difficult due to there not being what you would call a “road” going to and from Trackyte Ranch to Green River, where her grandparents, Anthon and Roean Myers Bastian, lived.
Sharon moved to Moab when she was around three or four years old, when the family rented a trailer across from Swanny Park. They later moved to Monticello for a very short time. Then, when her brother Michael was born in 1957, they moved back to Moab into a newly constructed home in Mountain View subdivision. It was there that Sharon grew up and attended Helen M. Knight Elementary School, Grand County Junior High and Grand County High School, where she graduated in 1969.
By then, Sharon had met and married Larry Sower. They were married in Moab on February 13, 1969. Larry was a chemist for Texas Gulf at the time but they soon moved up north to Ogden, Utah. Sharon and Larry had two children, Brittany Renae Sower and Christopher Sower. Sharon and Larry later divorced, but northern Utah still remained her home. Sharon met Dennis Hunter and was married March 12, 1987, in Jackson Hole Wyoming. Dennis passed away on January 31 of this year—they would have celebrated 36 years of marriage.
Sharon and Dennis bought a wonderful piece of property in North Harrisville, Utah. It was their dream property where Sharon spent many hours knitting baby-blessing dresses, newborn baby blankets, kitchen dish rags (which were everyone’s favorites—Sharon could barely keep up with the demand for them), unbelievable Nordic sweaters, knit caps…you name it: if it could be made, Sharon made it.
Sharon took up painting in her later years—landscapes, old trucks and barns, roses, arches and mountain lakes with fiery sunrises and sunsets were some of her favorites. She won several ribbons at the Utah State Fair, including one 1st place ribbon for her painting titled “Old Truck Out to Pasture.” She was so talented in everything she did, even stained glass pieces were part of what she enjoyed. She loved to give away her paintings and creations to just about everyone.
When Sharon wasn’t creating something special to share, she could often be found outside on her riding lawn mower grooming the yard—something she looked forward to—or spending time with her daughter, son and grandchildren, who she adored and was so proud of!
She had a great love for dogs and cats. Just to name a few: Gracie, Abbie (her new puppy) and Missy, the cat. Sharon spoiled her animals to a fault… In fact, Sharon loved to go to Seattle and take care of daughter Brittany and son-in-law Brad’s pets whenever she could. When Brittany and Brad sold their home in Seattle, she went to Palm Springs to watch the dogs there. If you said go, Sharon was on it and had her bags packed!!
One of her favorite trips was to Seattle to try out cross-country skiing. Her sister, Sandy, was there as well as daughter Brittany—and to tell you the truth, we’re not sure how long it took for Sharon and Sandy to make it out of the parking lot to the groomed trails. What a laugh! And laugh it was!
Sharon is preceded in death by Dennis Hunter, her husband of 35 years; both her parents, Newell A. and Vonda (Larsen) Bastian; older sister, Daphen; brother-in-law, Clifford Ranch; younger brother, Michael A. Bastian; nephew, Michael Cipriani; and infant niece, Jeanna Leann Bastian.
She is survived by her daughter, Brittany Renae Sower (Brad); Christopher Sower (Michelle); grandsons Joshua and Tyler (Tyrissa); and great grandchildren, Diego, Karysn and Zayd, with another one on the way; and her two sisters, Sandy of Moab and Terry (Mark) of Rocky River, Ohio.
Sharon will be dearly missed—but her smile, twinkle in her eyes, and joyful laugh will always be cherished by those who knew and loved her.
