Sharon D. Derkits

On Thursday, September 28, 2023, Sharon Diane Derkits, at age 78, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side.

Sharon was born March 9, 1945 at Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia, MO, a daughter of the late Rose Latta Palmer and Bejamin Kawiecki.

On December 31, 1964, in Chicago, Illinois, she married the love of her life, Michael Joseph Derkits. They were married over 55 years and blessed to have three children, Karla Ann, Teresa Rosemary and Michael John.

Sharon had many careers which included working at the Veterans Home, Lucy Wortham James Elementary School, Missouri University of Science and Technology, North Kansas City Hospital and Ruby’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor. She truly enjoyed working at each place. Her proudest career was always being a stay-at-home Mom. She was able to be at home to help care for her three children and husband, Michael, for many years.

She enjoyed many things in her life like cooking, making crafts, celebrating every holiday, creating games and activities for the whole family to compete in, playing Bingo, going to the casino, crocheting baby blankets, listening to Elvis Presley, but none more than spending time with her family. She had a zest for life and truly had a knack for making everyone feel like the most important person in the world.

Sharon’s greatest gift was teaching us to love one another and raising us in our faith. In her teenage years, she considered being a nun, but God told her that she was chosen to be a wife, mother, and grandmother, and to raise them with love. That’s exactly what she did! As a devout Catholic, she often attended Mass, prayed the Rosary, and watched the Mass on EWTN.

She is survived by two daughters, Karla Heimsoth, of Stover, MO, and Teresa Gomez (Alejandro), of Independence, MO; a son Michael Derkits (Jennifer), of St. Louis, MO; three grandchildren, Christian Michael Gomez, Presley Elizabeth Derkits and Brecken Ann Derkits; and a sister, Mary Moore, of Lee’s Summit, MO.

In addition to her parents, Sharon was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Derkits; a son-in-law, Gregory Heimsoth; two brothers, Larry Gloth and Ronald Gloth; and two sisters, Carol Anderson and Janice Buhlinger.

Sharon was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Her life was full of love, family and devotion to her faith in God. She will be truly missed, but the fond memories and traditions will not be forgotten.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 am Friday, October 13, 2023 at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, 600 N. Liberty St., Independence, MO 64050.

Burial will be 1:30 pm Friday at Crown Hill Cemetery, 701 N. Engineer, Sedalia, MO 65301.