In Memory of Sharon F. Richards

Sharon F. (Sands) Richards, age 77, of Tecumseh, Missouri (formerly of Anthon & Ida Grove, Iowa) passed away Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Gainesville Healthcare in Gainesville, Missouri.

A Graveside Service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, August 24, 2024, in the Liston Township Cemetery of Danbury, Iowa. Rev. Luann Benge will officiate.

A Visitation with be held from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 24, 2024, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Sharon Fay (Sands) Richards was born August 17, 1946, at the family farm home in Woodbury County outside Anthon and Oto, Iowa. She was the daughter of Carl L. Sands and Doris Viola (Stivers) Sands. She was united in marriage to David M. Richards on January 27, 1968, at the Church of Christ in Council Bluffs, Iowa. They were married 57 years.           

She graduated in 1964 from Anthon-Oto High School. After high school, she worked at Woolworth's in Sioux City, Iowa, packed turkeys at Swifts in Sioux City, was assistant manager of 67-unit Imperial 400 Motel in Sioux City and moved on to Consumers Grocery and Bomgaars in Ida Grove, Iowa.          

Sharon and David made their home in Ida Grove for 30-some years. After raising two children in Ida Grove, the couple moved to West Plains, Missouri, where she managed the clothing department and cashiered for Western Farm & Home for 18 years.           

Sharon enjoyed people and children, and remained a friend of everyone she met. Her favorite pastime was browsing thrift stores and consignment stores, then a trip to Hardee's.          

Survivors include her husband David Richards of Tecumseh, MO; children Tonja Richards of Des Moines, IA and Troy Richards of Urbandale, IA; granddaughters Olivia and Isabella “Bella” Richards; brother Rick Sands of College Station, TX; sister Connie Metz of Lennox, SD; niece Michelle (Jason) Schroeder and their children Rebeka and Heath of Worthing, SD; extended family and friends.           

Preceding Sharon in death were her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.