With broken hearts and deep gratitude for the time we were given, we celebrate the life of Shannon Denise (Larson)Hutcheson, who passed peacefully in her sleep on February 10, 2026. Born on August 3, 1979, in Laramie, Wyoming, Shannon arrived in the world equal parts grit and light. As a child, she could often be found looking like a grungy little ranch kid, boots muddy, hair windblown, heading out with her dad to help feed cows after digging her dirty wranglers out of the laundry basket. She referred to them as her “bumo clothes”. She grew up riding horses, raising 4-H sheep, floating down the creek at Bear Creek Ranch, and swimming at the Hanna, Wyoming, rec center with her cousins and early childhood best friends, Ryan and Felicia. At Grandma Renie’s house, the three of them built blanket forts, jumped on beds, and shared a childhood stitched together by laughter and mischief. Often finding themselves on separate cushions on Grandpa’s davenport, getting a good “talking to” as they tried to hide their co-conspirator giggles. At age 10, she traveled to Japan, Korea, and Hawaii with a gymnastic-dance team, an experience that terrified her mother but made her beam with pride. Shannon returned home with stories of eating rice and salad for breakfast with her host family, performing in front of large crowds, and swimming in the ocean - an adventure the little girl from Encampment, Wyoming, likely never expected. She tagged along everywhere with her big sister, Tori, determined never to be left behind. This became of great use to Tori as they got a little older, as she often needed someone to cover for her, which Shannon willingly did. Snow angels to cover up the footprints from the bedroom window, and no one was the wiser that cold December morning. At least so they both thought! From playing Barbies, pretending to be rock stars while they recorded themselves singing, working in the hayfield together, to eventually sharing an apartment, Tori and Shannon were more than sisters; they were best friends. Despite her love of mucking around the ranch, the same little girl grew into a homecoming queen and All-State athlete, seamlessly wearing high-top sneakers and a tiara. When she moved to Montana in 1989, she found her love for basketball, initially playing with the YMCA and later becoming a fierce defender for the Florence Falcons. She even hit the winning shot that sent her team to the state tournament in 1996. After high school, Shannon attended the University of Montana, where she enjoyed college life while working part-time as a waitress. Little did she know at the time that this would be a segue for a future career in early adulthood. Recognized for her intelligence, quick problem-solving, and her outstanding people skills, she was fast-tracked to management after several other restaurant roles. But everything shifted when she became a mother. Motherhood became the heartbeat of her life. She shared a lifelong love story with her childhood sweetheart and best friend, Steven Hutcheson. They met in Montana, and while having an on-and-off again relationship through junior high and high school, ultimately found their way back to each other and built their life together in Colorado. They married on March 20, 2004. Their marriage was a mix of humor, partnership, and obscure movie quotes only they understood, a private language that belonged only to them. Together they raised two sons, Derek and Dylan, who were the center of her world. Shannon poured every ounce of herself into her family. She never left her boys’ hospital bedsides, with Derek being born premature, and then advocating fiercely through Dylan’s early CHD journey, and later supporting other heart-warrior moms walking the same terrifying road. She herself had recently been diagnosed with CHD, so she walked the same path as her son, as a heart warrior. Her two boys were her pride and joy. She often reminded Derek that his stubbornness was inherited from her, and Dylan shared her sense of humor, but they both inherited her fierce competitiveness and basketball skills. She was a gifted cook who fed people with love, a devoted Denver Broncos fan, and someone who treasured time in the Colorado mountains and at the family cabin in Montana. Travel brought her joy, including a cherished trip through England, Scotland, and France with her mother and sister in 2019. In recent years, Shannon embarked on a profoundly personal journey of growth and healing. She spoke openly about boundaries, self-worth, and finding peace, encouraging others to pursue healing with the same conviction. She was a strong supporter and advocate for her “Sober Sisters” and was always available to ensure that those she loved received the help when they could not see the path themselves. As she stepped into 2026, she did so with renewed hope, urging others to fill their lives with moments where they could say, “I can’t believe I just did that,” instead of “I should have done that.” She was very much looking forward to the future. She is survived by her husband Steven Hutcheson, sons, Derek and Dylan Hutcheson, her parents, Jeff(Shelly)Larson, Denise(Larry) Conrad, her sister, Tori Larson, step-brother, Shawn Conrad, her in-laws Randy(Shelley) Hutcheson, brother-in-law, Shane Hutcheson, 2 nieces, 2 nephews, many aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her brother, Derek Larson, and her maternal and paternal grandparents. Shannon had a heart that gave more in half a life than most could ever give in a full one. Those who loved her will carry her stories, her laughter, and her fierce spirit with them always. She will be greatly missed. A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, April 11th at 11 a.m. at the 3 Mile Community Center in Stevensville, Montana. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to Mended Little Hearts @ 1579 US Highway 19S, Leesburg, Ga 31763, or online https://mendedhearts.org/#donate to support congenital heart defect research.