Sherlyn Kay Liess

Sherlyn Kay (Roundtree) Liess, 77, died March 13, 2024 at the Cheyenne County Village in Saint Francis, Kansas.  Known as Sherry to family and friends, was born June 27, 1946 in Benkelman, Nebraska, the first of three children born to Lawrence Rex (Red) Roundtree and Edith Mabel (Van Horn) Roundtree.

Sherlyn attended 13 years of school in Parks, Nebraska graduating in 1964, the last year school was held in Parks before consolidating with the Benkelman school district.  She was especially proud that she graduated from the same high school as her father.  Following high school graduation, she enrolled in the McCook Beauty Academy in McCook, Nebraska and earned her certification and license as a professional cosmetologist which earned her a position as a professional hair stylist in a beauty shop in McCook.

On May 27, 1967, Sherlyn and Richard Austin Liess were married in McCook.  They made their new home in Kearney, Nebraska where Richard was attending the University of Nebraska Kearney.  Sherlyn continued her cosmetology profession by leasing, managing and styling hair in a shop in Kearney.

Sherlyn and Richard were blessed with two sons, Rich in 1972 and Ryan in 1975.  After moving to Goodland and with two children, Sherlyn decided to be a full time mom and homemaker.  Being able to be at home allowed her to put her artistic talent to work, making and decorating cakes for all occasions, which turned out to be a true cottage industry.   In addition to cakes, decorated cookies and cupcakes followed.

Sports and school activities of her two sons were woven into her busy schedule, never missing an important event.  She also enjoyed fishing and camping with her family at Bonny Dam in Colorado when time permitted.  She enjoyed the outdoors.  One of her favorite activities was gardening.  She loved her flower bed, but her true gardening love was her vegetable garden, and the joy of canning her prolific yield.  She thoroughly enjoyed sharing the abundance of her garden with grateful neighbors and friends.

With grandchildren arriving and her husband considering retirement, Sherlyn decided it was time for her to put away her baking and decoration equipment, and spend time with her grandchildren.  She quickly learned that the joy of grandchildren is understated.  The opportunity to be there for their school and sports events, to watch them grow, and to be there for them if needed is priceless.  The title of Grandmother suited her perfectly.

Preceding her in death were her parents, a daughter-in-law Linda Liess and a brother-in-law Gary Stamm.

Surviving family includes her husband of 57 years Richard Liess of Goodland, Kansas, son Rich Liess (Georgina), granddaughter Lexi Liess of Overland Park, Kansas, son Ryan Liess (Heather), grandson Evan Liess and granddaughter Brynn Liess of El Dorado, Kansas, sister Evelyn Stamm of rural Benkelman, Nebraska, brother Tommy D. Roundtree (Julie) of Parks, Nebraska, and sister-in-law Rita Trimble of Columbia, Tennessee.