Isabel Irene Sparks, 89, of Kansas City, Kansas passed away on April 12, 2020. A Memorial Service is pending. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to The Ballard House, 21421 Cinco Park Road, Katy, TX 77450 or the Great Plains SPCA, 5424 Antioch Drive, Merriam, KS 66202.
Isabel was born on June 28, 1930 in Collyer, KS, where she was raised on the family farm. She attended Grade School and graduated from Collyer High School in Collyer, KS. She was a long-time member of the American Kennel Club and served as Treasurer for many years. Isabel owned and operated the Sparks Liquor Store in Salina, KS for many years. Isabel was a seamstress by trade and enjoyed helping people with private alterations out of her home. She worked for Christopher & Banks and JoAnn Fabrics as a sales associate, as well as a seamstress for David’s Bridal. When she wasn’t sewing, you could find her out in her yard tending to her flowers or constantly cleaning her fish pond. She had a love for animals and always had a dog. Isabel was a character and was known for her feistiness. Her grandchildren knew her as “Grandma Fireworks”.
Isabel was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Therese (Ehrichs) Richardson; brother, Neal Richardson; sister, Ian Kinnan; and granddaughter, Amy Owens. She is survived by her daughter, Vicki L. Owens, Kansas City, KS; granddaughters, Shannon Gilbert, Olathe, KS, Robin Vaughn, Overland Park, KS, Katina Calub, Kansas City, KS, and Andrea Owens, Los Angeles, CA, grandson, Victor Owens, Kansas City, KS; granddaughter, Elizabeth Owens-Umstead, Kansas City, KS; 14 great-grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.
