Sharon Diane (Heinrich) Barndt
December 6, 1943 – April 12, 2025
Sharon Diane (Heinrich) Barndt was born on December 6, 1943, in Seattle, Washington. She passed away at Niobrara Community Hospital on April 12, 2025. Sharon is the youngest of two children of Elmer and Nina Heinrich of Seattle, Washington. Sharon grew up in Seattle and graduated high school in 1962. In Seattle, she met the love of her life, Ralph Barndt, and they were married on June 16, 1962. While in Seattle, Ralph worked at Boeing and Lynnita and Layne were born. In 1969 the family moved to Arlington, Texas, where he was a machinist for LTV. It was there that Lori was born. In 1970, Ralph took a machinist job in Fort Nelson, British Columbia, where Lisa was born. Work took the family to Grand Prairie, Alberta, in 1973, where Melanie was born.
The family moved to Wyoming in 1976, where Ralph was employed by the Diamond Tail Ranch in Shell, Wyoming. They moved to Worland in 1977, where Ralph worked as a machinist for Holly Sugar and Crown Cork and Seal and Sharon worked as a cook for Head Start. Ralph was transferred to Hereford, Texas, in 1988. Ralph and Sharon spent the next 20 years in Texas, living in Hereford, Beaumont, and League City, Texas. Ralph retired in 2009 when he and Sharon moved to Lusk, Wyoming, where he enjoyed his time as a bus driver for ten years and “Grandma Sharon” volunteered at the elementary school.
Sharon was a secretary in many different positions including a bank, public health office, respiratory therapy office, home health business in Texas, and an administrative secretary at BP near League City. She excelled in Gregg shorthand, and this was especially helpful for work, church, and fellowship or gospel meetings. Many loved receiving her typed up notes. Sharon loved the garden, canning and freezing fresh foods to use for cooking throughout the year. Sharon enjoyed cooking and could make a meal out of anything. She loved taking care of others and made sure that no one ever went hungry. She will be remembered for sharing her food and new recipes with special friends, neighbors, Big Country Rehabilitation, the senior center, and anyone else including family close by. Sharon also had a very strong faith and valued every opportunity to get to her fellowship meetings and would listen by phone when she was not able to attend in person.
Sharon is preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Nina Heinrich. Sister, Dody Lennox, Husband, Ralph Barndt. Daughter Melanie Barndt.
Sharon is survived by: Daughter Lynnita Jessen of Richardson, Texas, and grandchildren Ben (Kori) Jessen of McKinney, Texas, Brooke Jessen of Houston, Texas, Barrett Jessen of Norman, Oklahoma. Son, Layne (Kim) Barndt of Post Falls, Idaho and grandchildren Court (Lynn) Barndt of Post Falls, Kayla (Gabe) Bermudez of Post Falls; Natalie (Danny) Nieves of Post Falls and Taylor (Kaylee) Barndt of Snohomish, WA. Daughter Lori (Abe) Badeen of Bentonville, Arkansas, and grandchildren Lauren (Andrew) Hansen of Kansas City, Missouri; Emily (Hattie) Badeen of Springdale, AR. Daughter Lisa (JD) Williams of Lusk and grandchildren Clayton (Trisha) Williams of Lusk; Allison (Carter) Vigesaa of Hazen, North Dakota, Larkin Williams of Laramie, Wyoming; Melanie’s daughters, Brittany (John) Meek of Gun Barrell City, Texas and Aleshia Barndt of Arlington, Texas and Ralph and Sharon loved 15 great-grandchildren: Cameron, Paxtyn, Jaden, Clarice, Lillie, Levi, Logan, Oliver, Charlie, Mylee, Jonah, Crew, Corbin, Josie, and Maggie in addition to many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Memorials can be made to the Niobrara Community Hospital or the Niobrara Senior Center.
A memorial service will be held in Lusk, WY, on Saturday, May 3 at 10 a.m. at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds. The inurnment for Ralph and Sharon Barndt will be at the Lusk Cemetery. A lunch reception will follow at the fairgrounds.
Pier Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements
