Sally Stephan

(From Alden-Harrington Funeral Home)

Sally Ruth Reed Stephan, 66, of Olathe, KS, passed away on September 13th, 2024, at her home after a long battle with cancer.

Sally was born on July 11th, 1958, in Joplin, MO, to the parents of Jess and Betty Reed. She attended school in Joplin and graduated from Parkwood High School in 1976 and Missouri Southern State University in 1981. 

After graduating Missouri Southern, Sally began her working career at Phillips Petroleum Company as an accountant in Bartlesville, OK. In Bartlesville, she met her husband of 41 years, Doug Stephan of Bonner Springs, KS. They were married in Joplin, MO, in 1982. 

After the births of her two sons, Matthew and John Stephan, Sally left her job to become a homemaker and raised her two sons. As a result of Doug's occupation in marketing at Phillips Petroleum Company, they moved to many places across the country including Oklahoma City, Memphis, Little Rock, Bartlesville, Kansas City, Houston, Los Angeles, and St. Louis. After Doug's retirement, they settled in Olathe, KS.

Sally's biggest interest was Disney. Of course, She enjoyed the vast library of Disney movies and Disney songs, but her real passion was the Disney parks. Sally's home away from home was Walt Disney World. She and Doug have been Disney Vacation Club members since 1999. Some of Sally's favorite Disney resorts were the Boardwalk, the Riviera, and the Wilderness Lodge. While at Walt Disney World, she enjoyed strolls around the World Showcase at Epcot. Sally also loved attending the many festivals hosted at Epcot, including the Food & Wine and Flower & Garden festivals. She enjoyed resort pool time with her family and her grandsons. Over the years, she especially enjoyed viewing the everchanging fireworks from different vantage points across the entire resort.

Sally also enjoyed travels other than Disney. She went on a total of 22 cruises, including voyages to Alaska, through Europe, and many throughout the Caribbean. She loved traveling to Wine Country.
Sally was preceded in death by her father, Jess Reed; her mother, Betty Reed; and her sister, Gwynn Douglas.

Survivors include her husband, Doug Stephan of Olathe, KS; her two sons, Matthew Stephan (Jackie) of Bartlesville, OK; John Stephan (Sanne) of Davenport, FL; her sister, Kathryn Simpson (Richard) of Miami, OK; her two grandchildren, Scotty Stephan-Rodriguez and Schuyler Stephan-Rodriguez of Davenport, FL.

The visitation will be held at 10:00 am on September 27th, 2024, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church (located at 5501 Monticello Rd, Shawnee, KS 66226), followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00 am, also at the Church.