Sarah Riekena, age 64, passed away after a 2 year struggle with cancer on June 24th. Her strength through this fight inspired everyone around her.
Sarah was born on March 3, 1958 in Garnett, Kansas to Irvin and Margaret Rockers (Katzer).
She lived on a dairy farm with her parents and 8 siblings where she helped with many of the farm chores and kitchen duties.
Sarah had a successful, 30-year marketing career in the field of avionics test equipment manufacturing. Her job took her to many places in the US and throughout the world. She made many friends, some of whom she kept in touch with even after they no longer worked together.
Immediately after retirement, Sarah and her husband, Tom, spent the last two years enjoying the warm, winter weather at their new home in Phoenix, when cancer treatments would allow. They would return to their home of 19 years in De Soto each spring to spend time with the family. Sarah always enjoyed traveling and went to many beautiful places around the world with Tom and her family.
Her passions in life were gardening, cooking for the family, hiking and reading good novels. She loved spending time with the grandchildren and watching them grow-up, as well as attending many of their school and sport activities. Sarah was involved with the charity Unbound as a sponsor and also enjoyed being a liturgist reader and a member of the women’s group at St. Paul Catholic Church.
Sarah is preceded in death by her father, Irvin and mother, Margaret. She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Tom; her siblings Linda (Lewayne) Rothers, Barry Rockers, Lois Foltz, Bernie (Michelle) Rockers, Omer Rockers, Marcia (Dave) Herrman, Kurt (Mindy) Rockers, Carl Rockers; her children Emily (Josh) Henderson and Dillon (Kristin) Cook; and 5 grandchildren Kaylee, Carter, Eva, Eli, and Rylee. Many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will be 5-7:00 PM Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at the Porter Funeral Home, Lenexa, KS, with a Rosary prayed at 5:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM Thursday, June 30, at St. Paul Catholic Church 21650 W 115th Terr, Olathe, KS 66061.
In lieu of flowers, Sarah’s family respectfully requests donations be made to Unbound.org, a charity that partners with families living in poverty, St. Paul’s Capital Campaign for a new church, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.