Sharon Palmer Callister

Our cherished mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Sharon Palmer Callister, age 84, of Grantsville, Utah, passed away on July 25, 2024, peacefully at home after a brief illness.  She took with her a piece of our hearts and will be forever missed.

Sharon was born on March 5, 1940, to Charles and Virginia Palmer in Tooele, Utah. As the oldest of 2 siblings, Brent and Pat, she enjoyed a happy childhood and was known to be a favorite of her grandfather.  Unable to pronounce her name correctly, Brent affectionately referred to her as 'Bootsie' -- a nick name she bore for the rest of her life.  She was a positive, outgoing person, and had a musical gift for playing the saxophone in high school.  A special highlight of her life was spent traveling with her best friend Myrlene Stevens and others, playing the recorder in the band they called The Melodians.

Soon after Sharon graduated from Grantsville high school in 1958, she married the handsome Gary Lloyd Callister, November 6, 1958, in the Salt Lake City temple.  They had met through mutual friends; quickly falling in love.  Together they had 4 beautiful daughters: Lori, Staci, Traci and Lisa.  Sharon and Gary enjoyed dancing, Sunday drives, and traveling to Palm Springs with Pat and Max Coon.  Losing Gary, a great-granddaughter, and finally Lori, proved to be an unbearable heartbreak that remained until her passing.

Sharon had 2 true loves in life: Family and Dirt!  She treasured both with a passion! She was happiest digging in a pile of rich soil, with her loved ones near.  She dearly adored Gary, her girls, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She had a knack for cultivating and caring for family, like she did her garden vegetables and flowers.  She could often be found strolling along the flower beds, and working in the earth.  Gary loved to be in the yard gardening with Sharon.

An active member of The LDS Church, Sharon happily served in several callings including Relief Society President.  She was employed for many years as a clerk for the Tooele County District Court, retiring in 2000.  Sharon was a skilled homemaker, sewing her children's clothes, and an excellent cook.  With her beautiful blue eyes and blonde hair, she was extremely proud to be a Swede.

Sharon is preceded in death by parents. Charles and Virginia Palmer; parents-in-law, Lloyd and Louise Callister; husband, Gary; great grand-daughter, Eyrelynn Kimber; daughter, Lori Palmer; sisters and brothers in-law, Pat (Chuck) Anderson, Melvin Dunn, Billi (Carston) Pomeroy, and Max Jay Coon, Jr.  She is survived by brother, Brent (Laurie) Palmer; sister, Pat Coon; sisters and brother in-law, Gloria Callister, Bev (Joe) McCary, Betty Dunn; daughters, Staci (Doug) Tate, Traci (Ron) Callister, Lisa Montoya; son-in-law, Kim Palmer; 12 wonderful grandchildren and 13 amazing great-grandchildren; many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services wil be held at the Grantsville Stake Center, Durfee Street, Grantsville, Utah, on August 6, 2024, at 12:00 noon.  Viewing will be held the same day prior to the service from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.  Interment at Grantsville Cemetery to follow the service.