Sharon Kay Allen, 86, passed away on September 21, 2026. She was born on June 11, 1940, in Omaha, Nebraska and spent her childhood growing up on her family’s farm in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Sharon graduated from Savannah High School, where, during her high school years, she met James “Jim” Allen. Their relationship grew into a lifelong partnership, and the two were married on April 23, 1960. They later moved to the Kansas City area for work and began building their family and life together.

Sharon pursued schooling in nursing before devoting herself to raising her family as a stay-at-home mother. In later years, she held various administrative positions, including working for Western Auto and in admissions at Park College.

Family life was at the center of Sharon’s world, and she had a wonderful way of making everyday moments memorable. The family spent countless days at the Lake of the Ozarks, where they enjoyed camping, boating, and fishing. Sharon especially loved to fish and even traveled to Canada for fishing trips.

At home, Sharon was rarely without a project. She grew an impressive vegetable garden and canned much of what she harvested. Creative by nature, she enjoyed crafts, ceramics, playing cards, and reading. She had a true gift for hospitality and loved opening her home to family and friends. Holidays were especially meaningful to her—perhaps fittingly, her first child was born on Christmas Day—and she delighted in decorating, hosting, and creating traditions for those she loved.

Sharon’s Christian faith was the foundation of her life. She was an avid reader of the Bible and lived her faith through both her words and actions. Her commitment to ministry led her to host and lead an in-home ministry through DOVE International. Sharon also had a special place in her heart for animals and dearly loved her Schnauzers, Lexie and Junie.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Herschel and Kathleen Wells and Gerald Thompson; her brother, Gerald “Sonny” Thompson; husband, Jim Allen and their son, Jeff Allen.

Sharon will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Sherri (Peter) Zarse; grandchildren, Meghan (Kyle) Clark, Dr. Matthew (Dr. Erica) Zarse, Mitchell Zarse, and Zach (Sunny) Allen; great-grandchildren, Brayden Clark, Kenzie Clark, Kelce Clark, Calvin Zarse, and Leo Zarse; sisters, Phyllis Carpenter and Cheryl Peas; brothers, Steve Wells and Craig Wells; as well as many extended family members and dear friends.

Sharon’s life will be celebrated at Terrace Park Funeral Home on Monday, September 28th, with visitation beginning at 10am, followed by the funeral service at 11am, and burial.