Sharyn Anhalt

Sharyn Kay Anhalt, 59, creator of YarnScout, the LYS, crossed over the fiber frontier February 2, 2021. Born June 14, 1961 to Jack and Judy (Hammerer) Anhalt in West Allis, WI, Sharyn spent her early life in the Milwaukee area, escaping to work summers in Yellowstone NP in 1980 where she met lifelong friends and her future husband George, settling in Bozeman November 1982. After many semesters and majors pursued in WI, she finished her Accounting degree at MSU in December 1986 and accepted a job with Peat Marwick in San Francisco. After a year in CA and longing for the MT outdoors they both enjoyed, she transferred to Billings, MT. Always the confident risk taker Sharyn struck out on her own path opening her CPA firm in the early 1990’s. The small two-woman firm found success and clients that became friends to this day. After marriage to George in 1993 and the addition of son Liam in 1995, Sharyn started Kidstock Inc. to provide kids clothing etc. to the Bozeman market, running both businesses simultaneously. After the sale of her CPA firm, she concentrated on Kidstock and successfully tapped into the internet shopping craze growing worldwide. Becoming tightly wound with the business, she moved onto selling Smartwool socks by the thousands on Amazon until her passion for fiber and yarn blossomed into the YarnScout expedition. Leading a ravel of knitters through the maze of colors and yarn available from around the world, she assembled a loyal army of Scouts to explore the fiber frontier, creating patterns, kits, KALs, custom hand dyed yarns and even a knitter’s retreat in Old Chico, MT. Although Sharyn is gone and YarnScout will soon visit the frog pond, hopefully her contribution to the Bozeman community continues. And of course, build that Stash, Cast On, and remember - Blocking is not an option!!



Sharyn was also an excellent cook, taking pride in organizing an event. Menu planning for the annual Christmas Eve party was at least a month-long process, with a different theme every year. The open house potluck feast was always attended by a wide group of friends and acquaintances in the area who had family elsewhere. The gathering always included a cozy fire on the patio with numerous lies told about fishing, hunting or barely missing a royal flush by four cards.



Survivors include her husband and son George and Liam Durkin; mother Judy Anhalt of West Allis, WI; brother David and wife Sharry of West Allis, WI; sister Susan Kortas and husband Ken of Wauwatosa, WI; brother Tom and wife Anna of Goleta, CA; and nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles too numerous to mention.



Many thanks to Hospice of Bozeman Health, Dr. Justin Thomas, and the Bozeman Deaconess Cancer Center, all the yarnies and our friends and family for support…. Beverly Mazzarella the Seattle yarn guru, Jeff, and Diana, thank you so much.



In lieu of flowers please contribute to the Audubon Society, MT Raptor Conservation Center, or a nonprofit of your choice to help continue the MT lifestyle. A future outdoor celebration of Sharyn’s short but amazing life will be held when spring weather allows.



Please check caringbridge.org for the date of a future celebration.