I was born Sharon Frances Fearn, April 6, 1942, at the old Jacoby Hospital in Evanston, to Edwin (Bud) Fearn and June Elizabeth Painter Fearn.
I spent my high school years on Painter Ranch, owned by my grandpa, Thomas Painter Jr. — such a wonderful, happy time, plus earning the title of Evanston Cowboy Days Queen. My grandmother Painter (Frances) promised me that, if I earned Queen, she would give me Dani, the horse I won Queen on. But, as usual, she took him away and gave him to a second cousin.
About that time, I changed my name. I dropped the Frances and picked up Painter because I knew my grandfather loved us.
I married Jay Buck Longhurst from Woodruff, Utah. We were blessed with a beautiful, healthy baby girl named Misty Lyn. Misty won baby contests plus became a first-class rider and horse trainer. Jay and I later divorced. Misty now lives in Casper with me.
I later married Larry J. Rufi. We were together for 48 years, until a rare form of leukemia took him. But we were blessed with two more daughters.
The first, Brenda and her husband Shawn, gave me three more to love. First was Danielle Sharon Saban, who later met and married Luke Meyer at the University of Wyoming. He majored in military and business, while Dani is a registered nurse.
Somewhere in the last few years they managed to give me Gerrit, Junie, and “the twins,” Jessie and Vertis. Happy great-grandma, I love them so much.
Somewhere around here I sold the ranch in Evanston. It broke my heart but I needed to be with all of my family in Casper. As God takes me, I will always miss the land of my birth.
Sorry gals, Dustin Jacob Saban, who had been single, has graduated from the University with a degree in geology. A little gal I love to call our Sunshine saw what a fantastic, sweet kid he is and snapped him up. Twins in his future? A grandma can only hope…
Derek Rufi Saban has our Codi to love him. He was worried he would not be a good dad. Not only did Codi bring Cadance, my Dolly, for me to love, but Derek changes the diapers, willingly, happily and with love for his family. Just before Cowboy Days, they had identical twin boys, Knox and Dixon. How wonderful is that? I love them so much.
Brandy Leigh Rufi is my last. She graduated from Central College in Riverton with a bachelor’s degree. Now, I know what you are thinking, but thanks to Clinton, BS now means Bachelor of Science; plus, she won various other horsemanship degrees; won all-around against kids who had been in the class longer than her. She then transferred to the university and earned a degree in ag business.
I am fortunate because all of my daughters helped me in my final years. While Brenda and Misty worked, Brandy stayed home and cared for me. My rock!
I do have some exceptions: I will definitely miss my Chinese dinners. Could you please send some up (or down) to me?
I need my family to know how much I love them, here and up yonder. Love you too, Pid.
Watch out Mom and Dad, here I come again.
-Written by Sharon Rufi
