Sharon Burghduff

Sharon L. Burghduff, 60, went to be with her Lord on May 17, 2008, with her family by her side.

Sharon was born to Jake and Dorothy Nelson on Sept. 14, 1947. She lived her childhood in Columbia Falls. She graduated from high school, then attended beauty school.

She married George Johnsrud in September 1967. Two children were born out of that union, Raymond and Jason. They later divorced. She married Jerry Burghduff on Sept. 12, 1980. They were married until his passing in 2004.

For years, Sharon worked as a waitress at Mountain Shadows and Pines Cafe until she started doing hair again. Sharon had a beauty shop in her basement, A Cut Above, for 21 years. She quit doing hair in 2004 because of her health.

She loved to go camping and fishing with Jerry, her family and her dogs, Brandy and Buffy. She loved the outdoors and the mountains.

Sharon was an awesome cook. She always had a meal and dessert ready. Everything was made from scratch. Her coldwater buns were the best. She loved family get-togethers and holidays just so she could cook.

Sharon enjoyed doing ceramics and working in her flower beds and the garden at her apartment.

She loved her grandkids, Bailee Johnsrud, and Cody and Casey Burghduff. She enjoyed spending time with them. Little Bailee was a very bright spot in her life.

In the past few years, Sharon had accepted the Lord into her life. She was baptized into the Assembly of God Church.

Sharon is survived by her mother Dorothy Nelson, of Kalispell; son Jason Johnsrud, his daughter Bailee and Bailee's mother Deb Winter; stepson Duane Burghduff and wife Tammy and their sons Cody and Casey; sister Jackie Hancock and husband Don, of Michigan; sister Jill Nelson, of Whitefish; brother Gary Nelson and friend Jeff Drummond, of Whitefish; life-long friend Bonnie Long; lots of special cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who have helped to brighten her days and helped with her care towards the end of her life; and her special dog Mandy.

Cremation has taken place. A service was held May 23, 2008, at the Assembly of God Church in Columbia Falls. At Sharon's request, donations may be sent to the American Lung Association, 825 Helena Avenue, Helena MT 59601.