Sharon Marlis Bryant, 83, shed her earthly cares and gained her heavenly reward on Friday, July 28, 2023, passing peacefully in her home at Highland Park Assisted Living in Alliance, Nebraska.
Sharon was welcomed into this world on February 7, 1940, by her parents Glenn E. and Marguerite L. (Peterson) Barnes at Valentine, Nebraska. She was the fifth of eight siblings who all grew up on the family ranch outside of Kilgore. Childhood years were spent with demanding work, much love, and laughter. Sharon attended high school at the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis, Nebraska where she met Floyd L. Bryant. He became her high school sweetheart and love of her life.
On November 16, 1957, Sharon and Floyd were married and began their adventure together. To this union three children were born: sons Kerry Dwight, and Lonty Kraig, and daughter Danea Lauree.
Sharon and Floyd made their home on the Bryant family farm north of Indianola until 1963. At this point they moved into the Sandhills, Cherry County, Nebraska. This community became their permanent and beloved home. Sharon and Floyd were strong partners as they learned the ranching trade from the best cattlemen in the business. In 1972 the Bryant family moved to the Box T Ranch west of Brownlee, Nebraska where they truly made a home and raised their family.
Sharon didn’t build fence or put-up hay, although she was perfectly capable of doing so. She worked extremely hard alongside of her husband Floyd to make their ranching lifestyle a success. Sharon took considerable pride in delicious meals for her family and all hired help that were lucky enough to spend time around her table. She loved a well-manicured lawn, a clean and warmly welcoming home, and an abundant garden. Sharon became well respected in her community as the one that would show up to help with a branding dinner and knew exactly what to do without being asked. Sharon was extremely active in her church community throughout her life and loved to sing in the choir with her amazing soprano voice. Sharon managed to put three home cooked meals on the table every day, while supporting and encouraging her children, and all other children in her community in their activities. She genuinely loved to help others and thrived in the beautiful Brownlee neighborhood.
In 1997 Sharon and Floyd moved to their home northeast of Kilgore, where they began another adventure together. They started their own craft business “Bryant Rustics.” This was a labor of love for them. Sharon was always highly creative and enjoyed sewing, knitting, making treasured Christmas ornaments and stockings for her grandchildren. She collaborated with Floyd on countless, beautiful picture frames and bent wood (willow and chokecherry) furniture they made together. They spent hours at craft fairs meeting and visiting with new people. Both loved to share stories and jokes.
Sharon was known as someone who was always ready to lend a helping hand, a very sharp dresser, and an amazing cook. She loved to laugh and had a teasing sense of humor and quick wit. Sharon had spent the last few years in assisted living. Even though her day-to-day memory was failing, she loved to talk about her adventures growing up, her high school days, her times with Floyd on the Box T, and could still recite the recipe for the best darn Pecan pie (of which she made countless dozens for branding dinners) by heart. Sharon was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandma (nanny), sister, aunt and friend.
Sharon was preceded in death by her husband Floyd and son Kerry, in addition to her parents and two siblings. She is survived by her son, Lonty (Rachelle) Bryant of Kearney, NE, daughter Danea Bryant Biltoft of Spokane, WA, and daughter in law Tara Carver Bryant of Kilgore, NE. Sharon is also survived by her grandchildren Stephanie (Andrew) Bryant-Erdman, Dustin Bryant, Samantha Bryant, Drew (Jillian) Bryant, Jordan Biltoft, Sean (Ashley) Biltoft, Kaleb Bryant, and Kamden Bryant. Great grandchildren include Kadin, Sage, Scarlet, Saunder, Caden, Chloe, Colson, Charlie, and Xavier. Our hearts are broken yet there is comfort in knowing Sharon is reunited with Dad and Kerry. She is truly home.
“When I get where I’m going, well there’ll be only happy tears. I will shed the sins and struggles I have carried all these years. And I’ll leave my heart wide open I will love and have no fear. Yeah, when I get where I’m going don’t cry for me down here.”
Love you, Mom. So very much. Rest on high.
A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held at a later date. Memorials in her name may be given to the Sandhills Area Foundation, P.O. Box 444, 103 N. Cherry, Valentine, Nebraska, 69201.
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