Sharon L. (Crail) Biehl, 73, passed away peacefully at her home in Kalispell on Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, with her loving husband and family by her side.

Sharon was born Sept. 12, 1940, to William and Florence Crail in Great Falls.  She was one of six children. 

She married the love of her life, Raymond Biehl, on July 27, 1956, in Harlowton. As a devoted and loving wife, she was the mother of three children, Deborah (Leon) Johnson, Michael, and Shari (Todd) Pankratz.

Through out her life, Ray’s career allowed them to reside in many places in the state of Montana, as well as Wisconsin, Oregon, California and Illinois  While in Marshfield, Wis., she owned and operated her own business, Shari’s Cafe, for three years.

She was a gifted and talented woman who enjoyed working in her flower garden, crocheting, playing cards and being surrounded by those she loved. She and Ray also enjoyed dancing together and will forever be remembered for her fancy two-step and jitterbug. They very much enjoyed spending their time at the casinos. She loved her garage sales and will always be remembered for her wonderful creativity in making beauty out of simple things. She found many treasures hidden in everything she did and will forever remain a treasure in our hearts.

Sharon loved life and spending time with her beloved family and friends.  Full of wisdom and humor, she never failed to brighten the days of those in her company. Her hugs and kisses, her laughter and wit always put a smile on our faces and brightened our day. Her big, beautiful, brown eyes always twinkled when she would share secrets and stories of her past years of long ago.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Florence Josephine Crail; father, William Crail; sister, Billy Joe; and brother, David. She was also preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Stella (Mae) Biehl; father-in-law, Fred Biehl; and brother-in-law, David Rawden. 

Along with her husband and three children, Sharon is survived by eight grandchildren, Eric Johnson, Brooke and Jaime Williams, Jake Biehl, Samantha Biehl, Jack Biehl, Megan Biehl, Heather and Adam Boyer and Dustin Pankratz; also six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Don Crail and Ron Crail; and a sister, Carolyn Slack; brothers-in-law, Robert Biehl and Tony Biehl, sister-in-law, Rita, and Clarence Lassle; along with several beloved nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank her medical care providers, Dr. Obermiller and Dawn Peters NP, for their many years of care. Special thanks also to hospice and the wonderful care and emotional support they provided to Sharon and her family, especially to her nurse, Lori Mitchell, who will always be an angel in our eyes.

She will be sadly missed by her family, friends and by all those who knew her. After 73 years, Sharon leaves a legacy of love that will live on through those she touched throughout her life.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, 525 Main Street, Kalispell. A reception will follow at Faith Free Lutheran Church, 405 Liberty Street, Kalispell. Interment will be set at a later date at the Sunset Memorial Gardens, Lewistown.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Sharon’s family. You are invited to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Sharon’s tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.