On January 3, 2008 Lola Marie Bock Sharp joined her Lord in Heaven after a long battle with cancer. She was born on January 14, 1919 and is preceded in death by her parents Henry and Rose Bock, brother Louis Bock, sister Helen Bock Burton and her husband George A. Sharp.

Lola is survived by son Keith Sharp Carole of Richland; son Roger Sharp Ginnie of Richland; daughter Barbara Sharp Porter Charles of Oklahoma; son George Sharp Rhonda of Richland.

Grandchildren: Richard Sharp LaNae of Kennewick; Christine Sharp Novak of Kennewick; Lori Sharp Davis Bill of Burbank; Kim Sharp Groves Ward of Tacoma; Cindy Sharp Fisher Kurt of Seattle; Lisa Lysher Fuller Isaac of Benton City; Robert Lysher Sue of West Richland; Jesse Sharp Alie of Kennewick.

Eight great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, a nephew and a cousin plus many caring friends.

Born on a farm near Hebron, Nebraska, mother attended school and graduated the 8th grade but was forced to leave school to help on the family farm. She worked along side her father and brother herding cattle, milking cows, combining and harvesting crops. Her brother left the farm as a teenager to work and send money home and mother took his place to continue providing food and income for the family.

In spite of the many hardships she endured as a young girl, later in life she often talked about the many fun times at family gatherings, school activities and socials.

While working part time for a neighboring farm family, she met their son, a young and handsome college student, George A. Sharp. They married on April 29, 1939 and moved onto their own leased farm. Her wedding gift from her parents was money from the sale of one calf, which she greatly appreciated! As a young family with 3 small children it became more and more difficult to sustain their farm. In August 1943, they traveled out west to join his parents in Kennewick, Washington. Their 4th child was born in Pasco, Washington in 1945.

Mother and Dad bought their first home in Kennewick. Dad held various jobs until beginning work on the Hanford Project as a Hanford Bus Driver. They purchased a ranch house in Richland, where mother continued to live for 57 years until her death.

Mother took great pleasure in her role as homemaker, wife, mom, and grandmother. She loved to host parties for their friends and her kitchen was open to anyone. She was a member of a card club for many years, and enjoyed lunches and coffee gatherings with a circle of friends and even took up the call to help at the USO club at Camp Hanford! Mom and Dad were members of the Moose Lodge in West Richland and every Saturday night danced the night away.

Dad was an ''avid'' hunter and fisherman, arid mom's vacations usually revolved around those activities. She enjoyed the outdoors although it must have taken a lot of energy to cook, clean, and take care of 4 children in out-of-the-way cabins and small camp trailers. After Dad passed on August 9, 1988, she continued her favorite trips to Westport and Leavenworth, and enjoyed planting beautiful flowers every year and maintained a bird sanctuary for wild birds in the yard. In 2004, she accompanied one of her Granddaughters on a trip back to the now-abandoned family farm in Nebraska, and was able to visit with several mends and family. She stated she thoroughly enjoyed this final trip to her home state.

Mother was well known for her cooking, especially “raisin cream pie,” raisin filled cookies, and the best rice pudding. It seemed she was always feeding someone! Every Christmas she had the largest outdoor light display on her street, beautifully decorated home, and hosted the family and mends Christmas Day dinner. Last December at age 88 she opened her door to 32 people at her dining table.

Now the Christmas lights are dark and the old house is quiet. She is gone and we are saddened at her passing but know she is with Dad again.

We love you See you later Mom! Bye Grandma!

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 PM Monday, January 7, 2008 at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Richland. Visitation will be held Saturday, January 5th from 2:00-4:00 PM, and Sunday, January 6th from 1:00-5:00 PM at Einan’s Funeral Home, Richland.