Sharon Kay Johnson

Sharon Kay (Shroyer) Johnson, 71 of Eskridge, Kansas died Sunday morning June 5, 2016 at Stormont-Vail Hospital following a sudden respiratory illness. She was a life-long resident of the Alma community. Sharon was born on April 26, 1945 in Manhattan, Kansas, the daughter of Lester T. and Doris E. (Whitacre) Shroyer. Sharon was educated in a one room schoolhouse on Spring Creek, Alma Grade, and Alma High Schools. Sharon was a mother first and foremost but also enjoyed working as a waitress in such memorable I-70 eateries as the Windy Hill Truck Stop (PJ’s), Trail House Café (near Manhattan), and Johnson’s Family Restaurant (Quality Café). She cooked at the Alma Manor and in the Bakery at Derby Hall in KState. While at KState she decided to try something different and ended up spending 14 years in the Paint department and retired from Kansas State University Facilities in 2011. During her life’s journey, Sharon was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. Sharon was a member of the United Methodist Church-active in teaching Sunday School and the Women’s Groups. Sharon loved knitting, sewing, crocheting and ceramics as well as spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as any horse she could get ahold of. Sharon married Dean Senne on April 16, 1962. They had two children, Larry Eugene and Tracy Rae Senne. They later divorced. Sharon married Vernon L. Johnson on December 23, 1976 in Kansas City. They adopted their daughter Cheryl Kay Johnson. In addition, Vernon brought his four daughters to this household- Helen, Dossie, Beverly, and Sandy. Sharon was in a new role as step-mom but held up to the task. Eventually the Johnson family moved to Traskwood, Arkansas and Sharon worked in the dietary department at the State Hospital in Benton. They returned to Alma in 1984 and Sharon and the family worked on the house she inherited from her mom. Sharon enjoyed square dancing and she and Vernon were active with Flint Hills Square Dancers. Sharon is survived by her husband Vernon, her sister Janet L. (Shroyer) Redmon, Alma, her son Larry Senne (Lori), McFarland; her daughters Tracy Logan (Ron), Topeka, Cheryl Adams (Joseph), Topeka as well as Six grandchildren Paul Johnson (raised as a son), Phillip Holt, Ashley Holt, Emily Johnson, Ethan Senne, Patrick Adams and seven great grandchildren, four step-daughters and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents Lester T. and Doris E. (Whitacre) Shroyer , two half-sisters, Mary Joan Scholz of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Marilyn Jean LaPonsey of Pontiac, Michigan. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 11, 2016 at the Alma United Methodist Church, followed by a luncheon with family greeting friends. Private inurnment will be at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Paxico United Methodist Church, and may be left in care of Stewart Funeral Home of Alma, PO Box 206, Alma, KS 66401. www.stewartfuneralhomes.com.