Sharon Anita Olmstead, wife of Kent Olmstead for 56 years, passed away July 1, 2021 after losing her second battle with cancer. As a proud storyteller, she dictated the following:

Sharon Anita Lunceford was born to James and Dorcus Lunceford April 8, 1946. She preferred the story told by her parents that she was found on an old rotten stump surrounded by crows.

She had an older brother, Frank Judd, who thought he was the boss throughout childhood and a younger sister, Debra Patton, who was.

She met Kent Olmstead at the Burford Theater on New Year's Eve where he tried to be the boss. That didn't go over so well. After a few years of her establishing ownership, they were married and out of that came two children: Justin Olmstead and Teri Chambers – who both thought they were boss. Now Teri bosses her husband Brian, and Justin tries to boss his wife Rose.

Hooray, along came the grandkids: Jared Case, Chandler Olmstead, Caleb Olmstead, Rosalind Chambers, and Leighton Olmstead. They are still debating over who is boss.

She and Kent cared for approximately 25 foster children in New Mexico where she tried to boss the Health and Human Services Department.

Back in Kansas, she was boss at the Cherokee Landrush Museum in Arkansas City for several years and then was the boss when she opened the Bluestem Bookseller book store in Winfield. She had to share being boss at the Gallery 1001 Artist COOP in Winfield.

If you are a storyteller, it's kinda hard to argue over who the boss is. One thing for sure, it has been a glorious and happy run. Remember to be happy and kind, and to pass it on. Oh, also, remember to laugh.

A celebration of her life will be held in the fall at the Olmstead home where friends, family and neighbors can share their stories of Sharon of which there should be quite a few.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center or your local art center.  Contributions may be made through the funeral home.