Sharleen Ashcraft, 85, of Hamilton, Montana, passed away peacefully on November 19, 2025 under the care of Hospice. Sharleen was born on June 26, 1940, in Madison, South Dakota, to the late Stanley and Wilma (Dunston) Stoneback.
Sharleen spent her younger years in Sandpoint, Idaho, and Kalispell before moving to Hot Springs, Montana, in the 8th grade, where she was a Girls State representative and graduated from high school in 1958. Following graduation, she moved to Seattle, working for the Seattle Times and pursuing her passion for music by playing the French horn in the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. Sharleen then moved to Missoula, where she attended the St. Patrick School of Nursing, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1963.
Sharleen married her high school sweetheart, Dr. Walker Ashcraft, on November 9, 1963. While Walker finished his medical school residency, Sharleen worked at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. In 1965, she accompanied Walker to Seville, Spain, where he served in the United States Air Force as the base surgeon. Sharleen worked at the Red Cross and it was during this time their only child, Paul, was born. While in Spain, she was able to pursue her lifelong passion of working with horses, having the unique opportunity to ride and train Lipizzaner horses from the Spanish Riding School.
In 1968, the family moved to Hamilton, Montana, where Walker started his medical practice. Soon after, Sharleen was instrumental in developing the Bitterroot Horse and Pony Club. She spent the next few decades working with kids, teaching them horsemanship. Additionally, she dedicated countless hours to breeding, raising, and showing Morgan horses, and participating in competitive trail riding. Her dedication involved endless hours on and off the tractor, feeding and watering, cleaning the barn, fixing fences, and building cross-country jumps.
Beyond her work with horses, Sharleen was a committed member of the community, serving as a citizens committee member for the Trapper Creek Job Corps. Along with her husband, Walker, she opened her home to help raise and foster numerous children and hosted two foreign exchange students while Paul was in high school. Above all, her highest priority in life was being a devoted mother and grandmother. Her boundless dedication, generosity, and kind spirit to friends, family, and those in need will be deeply missed.
Sharleen is survived by her husband of sixty-two years, Dr. Walker Ashcraft; her son, Paul Ashcraft, and his wife, Kassie, of Hamilton; grandson, Tyler Ashcraft, and his wife, Stephanie, of Missoula; grandson, Jake Ashcraft, serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Lewis, Washington; and granddaughter, Emily Donaldson, and her husband, Ethan, of Missoula.
A celebration of life was held at Daly-Leach Chapel on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made in Sharleen’s name to the Bitter Root Humane Association.