Sharon Kay Oliver, 82, of Wamego, Kansas, died Saturday, August 12, 2023, at her home, following a lengthy illness. She was a long-time resident of the Wamego area.
Sharon was born on November 11, 1940, in Superior, Nebraska, the daughter of Glenn LeRoy and Dora Mae (Knigge) Hiatt. She attended local grade school and graduated in 1958 from Superior High School. Sharon married Carl Gene Oliver, Sr. on October 12, 1958, in Superior. They were blessed with three children, Carl Jr., Kayla and Linda. After nearly 65 years of a wonderful life together, Carl survives at their home.
Upon high school graduation, Sharon assumed the duties as head accountant for the local J.C. Penney store. She later operated a daycare center in Manhattan, Kansas while her children were young. She worked for H&R Block in Manhattan for two years and then purchased the H&R Block Tax franchise in Wamego, Kansas in 1971. Sharon owned and operated the business for 32 years. After selling the business, she continued to work for H&R Block for 19 years. Along with the tax office, she also operated an accounting service for small businesses. In addition, she served as treasurer for the First Presbyterian Church of Wamego for several years.
Sharon was first and foremost a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and loved her family dearly. She loved to sew, and she made her grandchildren Halloween costumes, quilts, and Christmas decorations. Her family also called upon her for all their mending. Sharon enjoyed cooking for big family dinners and there was always a request for her to make malts, butterfinger balls, and her famous snack mix. Christmas was her favorite holiday. Sharon and Carl attended all their grandchildren’s activities religiously, sometimes driving between more than one event in a day. She followed her mother’s tradition of buying a pizza for each home run that was hit. Easter egg hunts were another fun time for the family. She would hide as many as 300 eggs, not only for the little ones, but the older ones too. Sharon spent many hours on the computer researching family history. Genealogy was her favorite pastime. Sharon was always ready to travel and due to her love of our country, Washington D.C. was her favorite place to visit. New York and Broadway plays were another favorite for Sharon. She enjoyed bank sponsored bus tours with friends across the USA. She also enjoyed playing cards and dominos with friends, but most of all, she loved spending time with her family. She was thrilled when she had a house full of company, whether it was planned or spur of the moment.
On Christmas eve in 2018, Sharon was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma Cancer. That day Carl became her caregiver, and their life was changed forever. Sharon’s goal was always to live to a hundred. Even though her illness would not allow that, she never let this disease get the best of her. She fought to the end.
Sharon is also survived by her children, Carl Oliver, Jr. (Sue) Gulf Port, Mississippi, Kayla Heptig (Bob), Flush, Kansas, and Linda McColloch (Patrick), Houston, Texas; her grandchildren, Alysia Oliver (Pete Powell) Walters, Oklahoma, Sarah Brady, Bradenton, Florida, Kristen Gilliland (Jack), Westmoreland, Kansas, Andre Oliver, Gulf Port, Mississippi, Emily Brown (Dustin), Basehor, Kansas, Nicole Dekat (Eric), Flush, Kansas, Ashley Brenner (Westley), Houston, Texas, and Austin McColloch (Heather), Garden City, Kansas; her twelve great-grandchildren, Caitlin Oliver Hollingshead, Addison Brady, Ethan Brady, Braylee Brown, Lainey Brown, Paisley Brown, Kennison Dekat, Kemper Dekat, Thomas Brenner, Andrew Brenner, Matthew Brenner, and Malcolm McColloch; her sisters, Betty Mountford and Alice Kinsey and sister-in-law, Loretta Hiatt; as well her many nieces , nephews, and their families, and a host of long-time friends. Sharon is preceded in death by her parents; her sisters Donna Lane and Judy Mauler; and brothers, Valdean Hiatt and Darold Hiatt; and four brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law, Wilbur Mountford, Daryl Lane, Jerry Kinsey, Ray Biltoft and Joan Hiatt.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego. Burial will follow at Wamego City Cemetery. Sharon will lie-in-state on Friday, beginning at 3:00 pm and the family will greet friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. They suggest memorial contributions to the Community Care Ministry, and those may be sent in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellastewart.com.