Sharon Lea Holmdahl

Sharon Lea Holmdahl (Gallaher) passed away March 15, 2022, after a courageous struggle against lung disease. Sharon was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, wife, and friend. She was born Sharon Lea Gallaher on May 12, 1943, in Nespelem, WA, as the fourth of Orie Radford "Bud" and Juanita Runnels Gallaher’s six children. She attended Nespelem elementary and middle schools and graduated as the valedictorian from Coulee Dam High School in 1961. After high school, she studied at University of Washington and Bellevue Community College. On December 27, 1961, she married Thomas Holmdahl in Coulee Dam. Along with Tom, she raised her family of Todd (1964), Bret (1967) and Christy (1972) in Bellevue, WA until they moved to Tonasket, WA in 1975. After giving her family a strong foundation, she rejoined the workforce in 1977 working in the financial industry. She started as a teller and eventually became President and General Manager of Colville Tribal Credit. In her work, she led with integrity and worked hard for her customers and the people she worked with. The loves of her life were her family, friends, and community. She adored her grandchildren and enjoyed supporting and following their endeavors. She was the glue of her family and her community at large, always looking to connect with people and create relationships. She often sacrificed her own needs to create good in the world. Her Thanksgiving meals were a long tradition in the family, reconnecting members and creating an environment of warmth and comfort along with a highly competitive Turkey Bowl football game. She was fun-loving and competed in many of the family’s events including her specialty, the egg toss. She was hard-working but always in listening mode, and family and friends always went to her with their problems. Her list of exemplary attributes is long with her grace a standard we all looked up to. In a world where there are few heroes left, she was a true hero. She was preceded in death by siblings, Rose Nanamkin, Jim Gallaher, Dolores George, and Bob Gallaher. She is survived by her husband, Tom, her sister JoAnn Cook, her children, Todd (Anne) Holmdahl, Bret (Stacey) Holmdahl, and Christy (Bryan) Boesel, and her grandchildren Eric, Ryan, Quinn, Nate and Shea Holmdahl and Jordyn, Carson and Jacey Boesel. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 10:00 A.M. on Friday, March 25, 2022, at the Omak Longhouse next to St. Mary’s Mission in Omak. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Hamilton Youth Foundation, PO Box 1750, Okanogan, WA 98840.

Sharon Lea Holmdahl

May 12, 1943 - March 15, 2022