Sherry Lynn Gatrost

Sherry Lynn Gatrost, age 85, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026, leaving behind a legacy woven with love and a deep appreciation for the world around her.

Born on July 13th in Salina, Kansas, to Dean and Evelyn (Buell) Taylor, Sherry's early years were shaped by her father's military service, which took the family across various states including Missouri, California, and Oklahoma. When she was seven, they settled in Topeka. Sherry often told stories of riding the train alone to Kanorado, Kansas as a little girl to spend summers with her Grandma Jessie. There, nurtured by Jessie's deep appreciation for flowers, faith in God, and all things that grow, Sherry found fertile soil to cultivate her love of gardening and the Lord.

Sherry embraced the beauty of nature and her enthusiasm extended to photography, capturing the wildlife and landscapes that surrounded her. In her younger years, she continually lugged around a heavy camera and carrying case (before cell phone cameras were invented) just in case a photo opportunity should present itself. She found pure pleasure in catching the beauty and complexity of life on film…whether that life was a person, a flower, or a unique ugly rickety old barn. For her, the beauty belonged in it’s uniqueness.

Her diverse interests also included sewing clothes and costumes for her family, cake decorating, wood-burning and painting wooden ducks, square dancing, gardening, and delighting in the graceful presence of birds, butterflies, and bees. She possessed an innate curiosity, often filling her pockets with fascinating rocks discovered along her journeys.

Sherry embarked on her adult life with ambition, initially engaging in nurses training before marrying her first husband, Elbert Page, and welcoming three children into the world: Scott, Michelle, and Stacy.

Following her divorce, she married Merlin Hubbard, with whom she relocated to the picturesque Flint Hills. Here, Sherry's commitment to horticulture flourished as she tended to blooming flower gardens, planted over 200 windbreak trees, and lovingly transplanted wildflowers. Utilizing her creative talents, she established a cake decorating business and excelled at making unique cakes for all occasions.

Following her second divorce, Sherry returned to Topeka, where she dedicated over 17 years to the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. It was during these years that she met and married Donald Gatrost. After three decades of marriage, and many wonderful adventures together, Don passed away in September 2013.

Always having a strong love for God throughout her life, Sherry took an interest in the Catholic faith, and began taking OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) classes where she ultimately committed herself to the Catholic faith and became an active member of St. Matthew Catholic Church in Topeka.

In her retirement, Sherry embraced life wholeheartedly through regular yoga classes and became a Master Gardener, volunteering her time to tend to multiple gardens, including those at St. Matthew Church and The Governor’s Mansion. Her gardening talents were recognized when her neighbor nominated her yard in the Capital Journal Yard Contest and she won second place.

Winters were a time of renewal for Sherry and Don as they journeyed to Southern Texas, where she set to work planting more gardens filled with hibiscus, bougainvillea, aloe, and other native plants. She rooted an avocado seed that grew into a beautiful 30 foot tree which bore lovely avocados for 2 years before they sold the property.

Sherry was not only a passionate gardener, but also a devoted reader and traveler. She explored many regions, including Germany and Europe to visit family, Pella, Iowa (for the Tulip Festival), California, Arizona (Balloon Rally), Texas, and the mountains of Colorado. She loved to embark on day trips to visit historic sites, quaint little towns or unique shops with friends or family. But the Flint Hills of Kansas always enticed her heart to beat with joy and her face to smile with pleasure.

Sherry is survived by her son, Scott Page (Carola), daughter, Michelle Bosworth, brother, Gary (MaryAnn) Taylor, a multitude of grandchildren, great grandchildren, step children and step grandchildren.

She is proceeded in death by her husband, Donald Gatrost, her parents, Dean and Evelyn, and her daughter, Stacy Page.

A Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, February 13th, 2026 at 10:30AM at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 2700 SE Virginia Ave, Topeka, KS 66605. Private inurnment will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka, Kansas at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in Sherry's name to either the Monarch Joint Venture or the Nature Conservancy of Kansas. 

Donate to the Monarch Joint Venture: Monarch Joint Venture Donation Link

Donate to the Nature Conservancy of Kansas: Donate to the Nature Conservancy of Kansas

As we honor the life of Sherry Lynn Gatrost, let us remember a woman whose heart was as vibrant as her gardens, whose laughter echoes still in the hearts of those she loved, and whose spirit will continue to bloom in their memories forever.

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