GOKEN, SHARON JEAN, 81 , passed away on September 3, 2024 at her home in Andover.

Sharon Jean Goken, age 81, passed away peacefully at her home in Andover, Kansas, on September 3, 2024. Born on January 21, 1943, in Hammond, Indiana, to Harvey and Ethel (Dwyer) Hammond, Sharon lived a life marked by resilience, love for family, and a deep connection to her community.

Growing up in Hammond, Sharon attended Hammond High School, where she found an early passion for competitive roller skating, even winning a State Figure Skating Championship on roller skates. She had a knack for acrobatics and could perform impressive tricks on her skates, a talent that showcased her adventurous spirit even in her youth. Around the age of 19, Sharon met the love of her life, Lester Goken, and after their marriage, they moved to El Paso, Texas, where Lester was stationed during his military service. Despite being far from her Indiana roots, Sharon embraced their time in Texas with her characteristic strength and adaptability.

Following Lester's service, they returned to Indiana to be near Sharon's family until 1974, when they decided to embark on a new chapter, moving to a farm in Elk County, Kansas. The farm became Sharon's sanctuary, and she took great pride in her expansive gardens, where she spent countless hours nurturing the land. Sharon was also known for her humor and grit, exemplified by a memorable incident involving a goat her son Tim kept. After it repeatedly climbed onto her prized Ford LTD, Sharon humorously handled the situation in her own way, firing a shot at the goat's rear, a story her family fondly recalls.

In 1982, Sharon and Lester moved to Andover, Kansas, where Sharon began her long and successful career selling Avon products, a job she held for 40 years. Her dedication to her customers earned her a place in the President's Club for many of those years. Sharon was also a survivor of the devastating 1991 Andover tornado, which destroyed their newly purchased home. In the chaos, as she sought shelter, Sharon was struck by a piece of chain-link fence, a reminder of the fragility of life. Yet, true to her character, she emerged from the experience even stronger.

In the years following the tornado, Sharon found her greatest joy in her growing family. She became a devoted grandmother, always attending her grandchildren's events and staying as involved in their lives as possible. Her love for her family was matched by her love for travel, as she and Lester explored many places together. She also remained a committed member of Prairie Hills Southern Baptist Church, where her faith and fellowship were central to her life.

Sharon's indomitable spirit was most evident in her battle with cancer. She faced three separate diagnoses, triumphing over two. Her courage, strength, and unwavering positivity inspired all who knew her.

Sharon is survived by her sons, Tim Goken (Carol) and Shane Goken; her beloved grandchildren, Trae Lavon Goken (Gabby) and Leslie Renee Escobedo (Manolo); and her great-grandchildren, Arabella, Alondra, Amaya, Arielle, Arlo, Kacelyn, and Kamdyn. She is also remembered by numerous close friends. Sharon was preceded in death by her husband, Lester; her parents, Harvey and Ethel; her siblings, Ron Hammond and Pat Donelly; her daughter, Michelle Renee Goken; and her grandson, Alexander Lavon Goken.

A memorial service celebrating Sharon's life will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Prairie Hills Southern Baptist Church in Augusta, Kansas, with Pastor Dan Anderson presiding. She will be laid to rest beside her beloved Lester in the Bruno Township Cemetery in Andover. In honor of Sharon's love for animals, memorial donations may be made to the Kansas Humane Society.

Sharon Jean Goken will be remembered as a woman of resilience, humor, and unshakable love for her family and community. She leaves behind a legacy of strength and kindness, touching the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her.