Sharon Rolph

After decades of caring for others – family, friends, neighbors, and strangers near and far – Shari Rolph allowed others to care for her as she died quickly and peacefully on June 14, 2022, in Olathe, Kansas.

Sharon Louise Heist was born in St. Louis County, Missouri, on May 11, 1936.  She lived with her family in St. Louis, Mobile, Kansas City, and Cincinnati, attending Southeast High in KC and graduating from Western Hills in Cincinnati in 1953.  She went to The Ohio State University on a scholarship and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1957.

Shari married Edward Dean Rolph on December 28, 1957.  The couple had four children while living in Owensboro, Kentucky, and then Evansville, Indiana.  They moved to Manchester, Missouri, in 1972 and remained in the St. Louis area until Shari’s move to Kansas in July, 2021.

Shari’s life was full of activity, centered primarily around her family – immediate and extended – but also her friends from every stage of life and every location.

She was employed over the years at a dress shop, at a drug store soda fountain, as a substitute teacher, at McDonald’s, as the cake lady at Baskin & Robbins, and as a bank teller at Jefferson Savings & Loan.

Shari and Ed traveled extensively – by car across the United States and some of Canada with the kids to visit relatives and for annual family vacations, and later on cruises and abroad to Bermuda, Mexico, and several times to Europe.  Following Ed’s retirement, they spent many wonderful winters in Fort Myers Beach, Florida.  Shari enjoyed knitting, sewing, painting, Bible studies, and especially volunteering.  She had a caregiver and servant’s heart, and she loved to be needed.

As her eyesight, hearing, and ultimately her heart slowed her down, Shari disliked her decreasing independence.  But she continued to be a positive influence for her many friends and family, adding to her circle of friends with each move.  She maintained daily devotionals, Bible studies, staying in the Word, and walking with God – trusting always in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Shari was preceded in death by her mother-in-law Gladys Rolph; her parents Louis William and Agnes Catherine Boos Heist; her husband Ed; her brothers Kenneth Alvin and Louis William “Bill” Heist; and her sisters and brothers-in-law Raymond Lance, Joan Houglan, Bev Heist, and David and Julia Hawley.

She is survived by her sister Georgianne and husband Rod Kleiss of Grantsburg, Wisconsin; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Jane and Bob Tager of New Smyrna, Florida; her four children and their spouses Joy and Mike Gipple of Lake of the Forest, Kansas, Brynn Rolph of Lake Saint Louis, Karen and Brant Roeming of Colleyville, Texas, and Steve and Lisa Rolph of Olathe, Kansas; her 15 grandchildren and their spouses Emily and Ryan Dawson of Seattle, Matt and Julie Gipple of San Francisco, Brad Rolph and LeslieAnn De Leo of Arvada, Colorado, Shara and Lenell Anderson of Lake Saint Louis, Nick and Brianna Gipple of Bonner Springs, Kansas, Anna and Dan Schoenemann of Englewood, Colorado, Devin Rolph of Olathe, Nick Roeming  of Bedford, Texas, Olivia Sutphen of Denver, Cecily and Mitch Arnold of Phoenix, Katlyn and Bailey King of Killeen, Texas, Jake and Molly Gipple of Dallas, Eddie and Nikki Sutphen of University City, Missouri, Blake Sutphen of Denver, and Shane Roeming of Addison, Texas; her ten great-grandchildren Leiana, LeSean, Aaliyah, and Landon Anderson, Lydia and Maggie Gipple (Nick), Eva and Luke Gipple (Matt), Leo Schoenemann, and Jack Dawson; 15 nieces and nephews and their families Peggy Schmitz, Jon Lance, Laurie Watson, Jim Lance, Todd Houglan, Steve Hawley, Dan Hawley, Jill Brown, Jim Tager, Jay Tager, Jerry Tager, Bonnie Tager, Brent Heist, Bridget Mueller, Melanie Kleiss, Jessica Kleiss, and Vanessa Davies; and friends from across the country – most of whom she still kept in contact and all of whom she treasured.

Sharon Louise Heist Rolph was a blessing to many in this world. We know that she is now happy in the next, and we know that she is waiting for all of her precious family and friends to join her when it is time. She lives on in our hearts.

Family memorial celebrations for Shari will be held in Colleyville and Lake of the Forest in August and November.  In addition, all are welcome to a memorial gathering celebrating the life of Sharon Louise Rolph on Saturday, August 13, 2-4pm, at Waypoint Church (chapel), 4075 Old Hwy 94, St. Charles, Missouri, 63304.

For those wishing to make memorial contributions, Shari's favorite charity was the Alzheimer's Association . We are primarily grateful for your love and friendship of our mother, and we appreciate your condolences and especially the wonderful memories you have and hopefully will continue to share.

Although the tree donation information below is a lovely idea, the family wishes for you to know that this was put forth by the funeral home, not by Shari’s family.  It is your shared memories that we desire the most. Thank you.