Sharon Kay Powell, local business owner and lifelong Grangeville resident, passed away Thursday, March 22, 2012, after a lengthy illness. Sharon was born June 14, 1941, in Grangeville, to Jay and Lois Warden. The house she was born in was located on the same spot that the Print Shop is located today. Sharon attended schools in Grangeville and in her younger years in Washougal, Wash., and business school in Washington. She worked at Western Auto, where she met her husband, Roy, and at Madison Lumber Company. Then she went on to own Western Auto from 1968 to 1973 and Print Shop and Office Supplies from 1986 to 1998. They also ran the local roller skating rink for many years in Grangeville, Kooskia, Kamiah and Orofino.
She married Roy A. Powell Aug. 18, 1962, in Grangeville. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jay and Lois Warden; brother Douglas; in-laws Lloyd and Sue Powell; and a sister-in-law, Nancy Sue Powell. She is survived by her husband, Roy, of Grangeville; her sister and brother-in-law, Lois and Christopher Haagen of Puyallup, Wash.; and nephews and niece, Brad Stickney, Richard Haagen and Rachell Haagen; sister and brother-in-law, Gay and Tucker Lindsey of Lucile; brother-in-law Don Powell of Yakima; and numerous nephews and nieces.
She enjoyed antique cars and their 1924 Dodge. Until she wasn't able, she also loved traveling to Hungry Ridge with Murph and Marge and the gang, trips to Canada and snowbirding in Arizona and Mexico. She was a member of the Cranker's Club for 49 years and a member of the Elks Lodge No. 1825, helping run the bingo stand for many years. She helped Roy when he was the Grangeville fire chief. She even got to travel with Roy to Appleton, Wis., to drive back the brand new fire truck. She also loved drinking her morning coffee and doing the crossword puzzle.
The family would like to thank the Grangeville EMTs, the staff at Syringa General Hospital and Dr. Griffis for their care. And special thank you to Bernard DeHaas and Bob and Betty Beckman for their help and support.
Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Grangeville Christian Church; inurnment will follow at Prairie View Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Blackmer Funeral Home of Grangeville. The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to one's favorite charity. Send condolences to the family to: Blackmerfuneralhome.com.