Sharon Kay Kroeger (nee Woodard), age 81, passed away peacefully on May 17th, 2025 surrounded by loved ones. She was born on July 22nd, 1943 to the late Fred and Catherine Woodard in Mishawaka, Indiana. In 1959, she met and married, John C. Kroeger. They, with their first 2 children, stayed in Indiana until 1962. They moved to suburban Philadelphia, PA and added another 5 children to their family. In 1976, John got a job opportunity and they relocated their large family to Phoenix, AZ where she continued to live up to her death. Devout Catholics, she and John passed their love of Jesus down to their children, attending Saint Gabriel in Pennsylvania, Saint Jerome in Arizona and, as it became difficult to attend mass due to health concerns, streaming mass from St. Thomas More. Through all the years and hardships she faced, her deep faith and love of Christ never left her. Always out-going, Sharon made friends with nearly everyone she met and maintained many of those friendships all the way up to her passing. Her love was freely given and she would do anything for anyone she loved. She would always make time to listen and give very wise advice to anyone that needed it. She didn’t judge, she accepted everyone and loved them, flaws and all. She enjoyed life and found joy in so many things from traveling, going to Native American Art shows, playing bingo, reading, scrabble, people-watching and playing slots at the casino but her greatest joy was spending time with her family. She was known for her Christmas parties where the house was full to bursting. Everyone was welcome and there was always enough of her famous biscuits and gravy to go around. She is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Catherine Woodard, her brother Max Woodard, her sisters Betty Vance and Barbara Nick, her first daughter Lorraine and two great-grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, John, their children Catherine, John, Mark, Christine, Amy and Lisa. Her grandchildren, Isaac, Angela, Heather, Jennifer, Holly, Matthew, Justin, Kitt (Joshua), Brittany, Allison, Jonathan, Danielle, Amber, Brandon and 27 great-grandchildren. Sharon’s services and inurnment will take place at Holy Redeemer Catholic Cemetery (23015 Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix AZ 85024) on Friday, June 27, 2025 at 10:00 am. Her celebration of life luncheon will follow immediately after at Macayo’s (6012 W Bell Rd., Glendale AZ 85308). The family is asking guests to refrain from wearing black.