Betty R. Sharp (age 91) passed away Saturday, January 4, 2025, in Wathena, Kansas. She was born on August 9, 1933, in Troy, Kansas to Chester and Dora (Murphy) Lewis. She attended LaGrange District Schoolhouse and Troy High School. After graduating from Highland College, she taught in a one-room school for 2 years before becoming a full-time farm wife and homemaker.
Betty married her longtime sweetheart, Dale E. Sharp, on February 19, 1955. He survives, along with their daughters, Marilyn (Tim) Hake of Trimble, Missouri and Shirley (Clark) Witt of Warrensburg, Missouri; and sons, Gary (Barb) Sharp of Stewartsville, Missouri and Tom (Rebekah) Sharp of Wathena, along with fifteen grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.
Additional survivors are brother, Fred (Luella) Lewis of Wathena and sisters, Susan Jones and Linda (Bob) Klaus, both of Troy, numerous nieces and nephews and cousins. Betty was preceded in death by her parent, sister Loutrilla Ann Lewis, and two great-grandsons.
Betty and Dale were both baptized, united in marriage, and raised their children attending Burr Oak Baptist Church before becoming founding members of the New Life Church in Wathena. Eventually they moved to Trimble, Missouri with their daughter and joined The First Baptist Church of Plattsburg, Missouri.
Betty was an excellent seamstress and quilter. She crocheted many Afghan blankets and in her later years, she made potholders to keep her fingers limber from arthritis.
Funeral Service: 2:00 P.M. Friday, January 10, 2025 at the New Life Church, Blair, Kansas.
Visitation: 5-7 P.M. at the church. Friends may call after 9 A.M. Thursday, at the Harman-Rohde Funeral Home in Wathena, Kansas.
Burial: Mount Olive Cemetery, Troy, Kansas.
