Elsie Francena Sharpe

Elsie Francena Sharpe "Francena", 99, passed away peacefully Saturday March 8, 2014. She was born July 17, 1914, in Oswego, Kansas to Park F. and Elsie E. (Wick) Lewman. Francena married Stephen (Steve) R. Sharpe on June 23, 1946 in Oswego, Kansas. Steve’s job allowed the couple to live in many places across the United States, finally settling in Wichita, Kansas in 1963. Their shared passion for genealogy research in retirement expanded their travels further as they combed libraries and archives from coast to coast for clues about family history. Francena had a sharp mind and wonderful thirst for knowledge. By the time she graduated high school she had read every book in the Oswego Public library, and she was still accurately completing the daily crossword puzzle in the last days of her life. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 8 siblings, and husband. Francena is survived by her children Nancy (Bill) Gooden of Wichita, and Randy (Rita) Sharpe of Lawrence Kansas; granddaughters Cyndi (Mark) Winter of Wichita, Tiffany (Blake) McCrabb of Edmond, Oklahoma, Abigail (Michael) Dunlap of Conifer, Colorado and Jennifer (Marcel) Templet of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, as well as 9 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Francena also lovingly welcomed Bill Gooden’s children and grandchildren when they joined the family.

Visitation 6-8p.m. Friday and Funeral Service, 10:00a.m. Saturday, March 15, 2014, all at Hillside Funeral Home West, 2929 W. 13th St. Wichita, KS. Followed by interment at White Chapel Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Presbyterian Church or the Presbyterian Manor of Wichita