Sharon Ruth Timblin, 71

Sharon Ruth Timblin, 71, was finally able to rest after a long battle with cancer on April 11, 2020.

Sharon was born June 25, 1948, in Merriweather, Michigan, to Floyd and Geraldine Sorenson. Due to her father’s work in construction, the family moved around to multiple states before finally settling in Idaho. Sharon attended grade school in Fernwood. Her middle school years were spent at Potlatch after the family moved to Harvard. The family then relocated to Santa, Idaho, where she graduated from St. Maries High School in 1967.

Sharon was briefly married which happily resulted in her first two children, Roger and Rae Lin. Not long after the end of her first marriage she met the love of her life, Dennis Timblin. In a whirlwind romance, after just three months of meeting Dennis, the two were married and the family grew by two, adding Renee and Becky.

Sharon was a tomboy growing up happy to be fishing and roaming the woods. She learned how to fix mechanical equipment from her Dad and how to cut up meat and cook from her Mom. All lessons she learned from them, she passed on to her children when she started her own family. She grew an impressive garden and from its abundance she would can, freeze and store her harvest which would feed her family for the entire year. She was a talented seamstress who could sew clothes and toys. She butchered and packaged wild game shot by her husband and son with expertise. Sharon loved being outdoors gathering huckleberries and could identify any wild mushroom she came across. She loved to be out on the water and could catch fish with the best of them. She was an avid reader, loved to crochet, and knit all while caring for her family. Sharon always had an abundance of fur babies around to love as well. She loved all animals and insisted on feeding the wildlife such as the deer, elk, moose, and birds around the family home. She fondly referred to them as her pets, not allowing anyone to shoot them, even Dennis, who is an avid hunter and was tempted many times by her well-fed wild game “pets”. Sharon embodied everything wonderful about being an outdoor resourceful talented North Idaho woman.

Before meeting Dennis, Sharon worked as a waitress and short order cook at a small restaurant in Newport, Wash., and cleaned local businesses in Priest River, Idaho. She became a social worker for the state of Idaho Health and Welfare department to help women dealing with domestic violence. After her marriage to Dennis, she worked at the Colburn General store and post office before she decided to become a stay-at-home mom. Still one never to be idle, she volunteered at her kid’s schools, took them to all their sporting events, coached kids’ volleyball and basketball, earned money as a seamstress, sold Avon, and registered people to vote. Once her children were older, she decided to enter the workforce once again and started a part time job at Mr. Sub. She officiated softball and volleyball for the Sandpoint Parks and Recreation Department and officiated high school volleyball for the Idaho High School Activities Association. As a well-respected volleyball officiant, Sharon was promoted to secretary/treasurer for the North Idaho Officials Association which she was part of for 30-plus years. Sharon was chosen multiple times to officiate state volleyball tournaments and received plaques and awards for her achievements as an official. Sharon left her part-time job and began full-time work at the Daily Bee newspaper while also continuing her work as a volleyball official. She began her role as an ad salesperson at the Daily Bee and was promoted to advertising manager which she loved because it provided her the opportunity to interact with members of the community. As Sharon became busier attending her grandkids’ events, she decided to leave the Daily Bee and become the office manager for AmeriGas in order to have a more structured schedule until she joined her husband in retirement.

Throughout the years, no matter how busy Sharon was, her and Dennis rarely missed any of their kids’, grandkids’ or nieces’ and nephews’ sporting, music and many other events. Her love of cheering on her family and being there to support them was undeniable. Sharon and Dennis were known as the kid’s biggest fans at all these events and grew to know and love all the families, friends and teammates they watched. Along with all their travel to watch ball games, Sharon also loved family trips to the Oregon coast, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Disneyland and Canada. After retirement, her and Dennis enjoyed traveling to England, Wales and a cruise to Alaska, making unforgettable memories she talked about often.

In the year 2011, Sharon was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sharon remained upbeat about her prognosis even when she found out the cancer had metastasized to her liver. Sharon was never idle during her treatments and always had a fighting spirit. She loved all the wonderful doctors, nurses and people she met during her battle. She was the inspiration for the creation of the cancer assistance program, NW Cancer Foundation of Hope, that began in Moscow, Idaho, created by her youngest daughter, Becky Chavez Timblin and friend, Debi Dockins. Even during her battle, Sharon volunteered her time to help set up and participate in their annual “Bunko for a Cause” fundraiser. Due to her inspiration and with her help, the program has raised more than $450,000 since 2011. All money raised goes back to serve other patients and their families also battling a cancer diagnosis.

Sharon will be deeply missed by her husband and best friend, Dennis Timblin; her children, Roger Timblin and his wife Marcy, Rae Lin Aller and her husband Steve, Renee Pacheco Timblin and her husband Marcos, and Becky Chavez Timblin; her grandchildren, Alysha Jalli, Lance Timblin, Hali Murray, Adina Timblin, Maddie Higbee, Lindsey Aller, Jaden Chavez, Kylin Chavez, Isaac Pacheco Timblin and Alma Pacheco Timblin; her great-grandchildren, Sunjay Jalli, Samirah Jalli, and Zoey Timblin; her siblings, Ella Powell, Janet Sobczuk and her husband Pete and Floyd Sorensonp; her brother-in-law, Tim Timblin his wife Chris; her sister-in-law, Vicki Veldman; her brother-in-law, Michael Timblin and his wife Rosa; and her sister-in-law, Maria Timblin; along with multiple nieces and nephews.

Sharon was preceded in death by her father Floyd Sorenson, mother Geraldine Sorenson, father-in-law Jim Timblin, mother-in-law Lucille Timblin, brother-in-law Larry Timblin, brother-in-law Alan Veldman, brother-in-law Jim Powell, and nephew Zac Veldman.

A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held on Saturday, June 27, with family and friends after a graveside memorial. Graveside arrangements are being handled by Coffelt Funeral and the family will host the celebration of life at their family home. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in honor of Sharon Timblin to: NW Cancer Foundation of Hope, PO Box 65, Viola, Idaho 83872.

Family and friends are invited to sign Sharon’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.