Sharon Lynne (Roth) Liechty

Sharon Lynne (Roth) Liechty, 82, of Leawood, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Christmas Day, December 25, 2023 at Menorah Medical Center. She was lovingly surrounded by her entire family who cherished every moment spent with her on this earth.

Sharon was born December 14, 1941, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the daughter of Newell and Doris Roth. She was raised in Oskaloosa with her older brother, Ron, whom she dearly loved and admired. Her father, Newell, was an avid pilot who flew for the Civil Air Patrol and taught Sharon a great deal about flying. He also owned two car dealerships in Oskaloosa, one Cadillac and the other Oldsmobile. Her mom, Doris, was his bookkeeper, and Sharon spent much time at these dealerships, where her father would allow her to drive the oldest car on the lot.

After graduating from Oskaloosa High School, where she played the saxophone in the marching band, she attended the University of Colorado in Boulder for two years. Upon returning home, she became employed by Fisher Governor Company in Marshalltown, Iowa where she met and married her husband, John. They were married for 59 years.

John and Sharon lived in Marshalltown, Iowa until 1974, when they relocated to Leawood, Kansas where John began working for Valvtrol, Inc. and Sharon graciously took on the role of mother, wife and homemaker extraordinaire. Sharon’s passions were many: playing tennis and bridge with friends, power walking, reading, gardening, attending every golf, baseball, basketball and swimming event for her children, and cooking and entertaining as if it were effortless. Her specialty was making dozens of homemade rolls (her mother’s recipe) for every special occasion. She also had a true passion for birds and birdwatching. This passion led to a surprise visitor one day. She came home from the pet store and surprised her family with a red-headed Amazon parrot which she named “Cutty.” Upon asking her “why?” she simply responded, “because he needed a home and he was on sale.” Cutty was with our family for almost 20 years, landing on unsuspecting heads and soaring through the house, greatly enjoying the freedom mom gave him.

Sharon had a true heart for rescuing dogs. Over the years, she and John rescued 7 dogs: Bogie, Calvin (Klein), Percy, Dobie, Missy, Lucy Lou, and Lola. Sharon never went to the shelter to adopt a dog. Each of these dogs were either wandering neighborhood strays that she would take in, or someone would tell her “Hey Sharon, we found this dog that needs a good home and we immediately thought of you and John.” She would often say the dogs “chose her.” I mean, who wouldn’t?

In 1999, John and Sharon purchased a home on the water in Tequesta, Florida, which would become the boating and vacationing mecca for the entire family for the next 22 years. The memories and friendships made there will forever be cherished. She took great joy in watching her grandchildren fish off the dock, take boat rides on the “Funtini”, enjoy great seafood, meet her dear friends, and have fun together in the pool.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Newell and Doris Roth, her brother, Ron Roth, and her nephew Andy Roth. Sharon is survived by her husband, John, son Johnny Liechty (Kristin), daughter Jill Fullerton (Richard), and five wonderful grandchildren: J.D., Joshua, Ella, Audrey and Tommy, all of whom brought her tremendous pride and joy.

The family would like to thank her personal doctor and the wonderful and caring doctors and nurses in the ICU at Menorah Medical Center who took special, gentle care of her. Visitation will be on Friday, January 5th from 10:00 to 11:00am at McGilley State Line Chapel with the service immediately following. Private burial at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, 9501 W. 159th Street, Stanley, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Sharon’s name to Wayside Waifs, 3901 Martha Truman Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64137.