Mary L. Sharp

Mary Louise Sharp, 82, a loving, kind, and thoughtful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, entered into rest on November 29, 2023. Mary was born on September 15, 1941, in Iowa City, Iowa, to Sophus S. and Mary Anna Knězu Hansen. She graduated from Iowa City High School in 1959. Mary earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education and psychology with a minor in library science from the University of Iowa in 1963. She was married to Larry Gene Sharp in Iowa City on October 2, 1976. Together, Mary and Larry lived in Independence, Pittsburg, and Coffeyville, Kansas and Odessa, Texas, before moving back to Independence in 2000.

Mary was a teacher and entrepreneur who lived a life of service to others. She began her formal teaching career in Davenport, Iowa, where she taught third grade in the public school system for 12 years. Informally, she taught others throughout the rest of her life, including her own children and grandchildren, kids in Bible classes, and visitors to the farm. Mary was a long-time member of the Coffeyville Church of Christ. She co-owned and managed the Independence Bicycle Shop (1980-1983) and Four Star Emu & Goat Ranch (1995-2023). Mary was also an avid cyclist and active member of bicycle clubs in Iowa City and Independence, riding her bicycle across both Iowa and Oklahoma for many years. She was a leader in the local goat club, where she promoted the group and served as treasurer. In her later years, she was also an ardent fan of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Walter Eugene and Henry Robert Hansen.

Mary is survived by her loving husband, Larry Sharp; daughters, Gina Lynn (Russell) Moore, Angie Joyce Moore, Lynette Louise (Lee) Sharp Penya; grandchildren, Julia Faye (Kennon) Dvorak, Andrew Russell (Megan) Baker, Landon Kane Moore, Hansen Alexander Penya, and Sophie Marie Nicole Penya; and great-grandson, Knox Lee Dvorak.

A funeral service to celebrate Mary's life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 5, at the Coffeyville Church of Christ in Coffeyville, Kansas. There will be a visitation prior to the service from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the church. She will be laid to rest at Mount Hope Cemetery in Independence, Kansas.

We invite those who knew and loved Mary to honor her memory by sharing their stories, photos, and memories on her memorial page at webbrodrickchapel.com. Memorials can also be made through the memorial page to Donors Choose, a nonprofit that connects public school teachers with donors to meet classroom needs. https://www.donorschoose.org

Mary Louise Sharp will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all those who knew her. May she live on in our hearts and through our acts of kindness. To leave a special message for the family please visit www.webbrodrickchapel.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Webb & Rodrick Chapel and Crematory.