Obituary for Arna Betty Sharbono Arna Betty (Chudomelka) Sharbono was born on January 16, 1923 as the third daughter to Edward and Emily Chudomelka in Dodge, Nebraska. She learned the Czech customs and work ethics of rural Nebraska during the Great Depression. She graduated from Inman High School with a class of twelve in 1939.
She graduated with a business degree from the American School of Commerce and obtained a position with Omar, Inc., in Omaha at the time that World War II began. While visiting a street show one evening, she met a young soldier, Sid Sharbono, which led to a marriage which began on December 26, 1943 and lasted for more than fifty years. With Sid’s discharge from the U.S. Army, he and Arna traveled to Montana so that Sid could help with the family farm.
What was to have been a “temporary” move lasted for twenty years. During this time Arna taught six terms in the surrounding country school, gave birth to three children and helped raise several family young ones. After the farm was sold, Sid found work operating heavy equipment with a construction company building bridges and highway overpasses.
One of her most enjoyable experiences was living in the wilds of Idaho and acting as camp cook while Sid’s company built a bridge. They traveled throughout Montana and ultimately settled in Missoula in the early 1960’s. She had several positions in Missoula, beginning at St. Patrick Hospital, Typewrite Desk Co., and spent over twenty years as an Accountant with Glacier General Assurance Company.
She also served as the Secretary/Treasurer of the El-Mar Homeowners Assn. for ten years. After her retirement, she served at the election polls for several years.
She spent several summers with her daughter, Sharon and Sharon’s husband, Jerry, in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, enjoying the fishing and outdoor life after Sid’s passing. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She was a founding member of Crosspoint Church and loved her flowers, gardening and her many fruit trees.
She loved to share the fruits of her harvest with neighbors and friends. Arna was preceded in death by her husband, Sid, her parents, sisters, son-in-law Jerry Carlson, and granddaughter Dani Lee. She is survived by her children Edward (Karlee) Sharbono of Missoula, Sharon Carlson of Hall, Arlin (Diane) Sharbono of Missoula, eight grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and sixteen great, great, grandchildren, other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
The family wishes to thank the many people from Hospice of Missoula for their loving kindness to Arna and to the family during her final weeks. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Arna’s memory to a charity of their choice. A memorial service for Arna will be held at Crosspoint Community Church located at 7500 Mullan Road, Missoula at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 6, 2018, with Pastor Bruce Speer officiating.
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