Sondra Kay Stuard

Sondra Kay Stuard (née Crane) passed away peacefully on June 18, 2025 in Saint George, Utah, after bravely facing Alzheimer’s disease and congestive heart failure. She was 81 years old, one week shy of her 82nd birthday.

Born on June 25, 1943, in Los Angeles, California, Sondra was the firstborn of Lynn Elmer Crane and Maxine Hunt Crane. The family later settled in Renton, Washington, where her younger siblings (twins) Lynn Jefferson (Jeff) Crane and Lynda Jill Crane—were born in 1947. As the oldest child, Sondra quickly embraced the responsibilities of helping her mother care for the twins, a role that shaped her nurturing and selfless spirit.

Sondra graduated from Renton High School, then the largest high school in the state of Washington, where she was active in Intramural sports and vocal groups which developed her lifelong love for music, especially the piano. She often accompanied school and church performances, setting the stage for her later work as a beloved piano teacher at which she excelled for 50+ years.

After high school, Sondra married Stanley Clark Lorenson. Together they welcomed two daughters, Kelle Jean and Hilary Ann. The family moved to Potter Valley, California where Stan taught school, but Sondra’s deep-rooted love for her family drew them back to Washington to stay close to her parents and siblings.

Following her divorce, Sondra married Earle Walter Stuard in 1971. They made their home in the Pine Lake area of Issaquah, Washington, and were later blessed with two more children, Megan Kathleen and Mitchell Sean. In 1983, the family was sealed for Time and all Eternity in the Seattle Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—a milestone Sondra held dear for the rest of her life.

Active in the Issaquah 2nd Ward and later the Sumner Ward, Sondra served faithfully in leadership roles in both the Relief Society and the Young Women’s organizations. Her commitment to the gospel and to temple worship remained constant, as she later served over 20 years as an ordinance worker in the Seattle Temple. The lifelong friendships she formed with fellow Latter-day Saint sisters were a source of joy and support to her, lasting until her final days.

While living in Sumner from 2002 to 2024, Sondra and Earle, had the opportunity to care for a Victorian-era home—fulfilling one of Sondra’s lifelong dreams. There, she poured her energy into gardening, creating a beautifully landscaped yard that became a local landmark. She also continued teaching piano, inspiring generations of students, many of whom went on to become teachers and accomplished performers themselves.

Sondra was a talented seamstress and quilter, and her handmade quilts are cherished by her extended family. She was active and energetic, participating in 10K runs like the Sound-to-Narrows and the Seafair Torchlight Run. When running became difficult, she took up cycling and enjoyed rides along the Foothills Trail between Buckley and Sumner for many years.

Sondra lived life to the fullest, finding joy in both everyday pleasures and grand adventures. She loved boating on the waters of Puget Sound, Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish, and Lake Tapps, and spent countless cherished weekends camping and relaxing at the family’s property on Whidbey Island. Water skiing on Lake Sammamish and swimming at Mueller's beach were her favorites on hot NW summer days. An avid bowler, she helped her team win multiple league championships and she also played on Jack and Jill softball teams. Sondra had a deep love for the outdoors, hiking the trails of Mt. Shasta, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Si, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Saint Helens. She was a creative soul who took delight in decorating wedding receptions for friends and made holidays—especially Christmas—magical with her décor and family dinners. She loved to travel, whether it was road trips to Disneyland, the Oregon Coast, San Francisco, Leavenworth, Port Townsend, or attending group retreats at Fort Flagler on the Olympic Peninsula. She toured widely across the U.S.—from New York and Washington D.C. to Palm Springs, Florida, New Jersey, New Orleans, and sacred church history sites like Palmyra, New York; Kirtland, Ohio; and Salt Lake City.

She dearly loved vacationing in Hawaii (especially Kauai) amidst the aroma of the beautiful flowers and snorkeling in the pristine Hawaiian surf. Her love of exploration took her abroad to the Holy Land, Spain, London, and Rome, and on numerous cruises to destinations including Alaska (four times), Mexico, South America, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and through the Panama Canal.

Some of her happiest moments were spent playing cards and board games with family and friends—favorites like Oh Heck, Hearts, and Tripoly filled her home with laughter. She also enjoyed winter skiing at Whistler, Stevens, and Snoqualmie passes. A lifelong music lover, she delighted in attending Broadway productions in Seattle and New York and never forgot seeing live performances by Elvis, The Manhattan Transfer, and the Beach Boys. And at the end of a long day, nothing pleased her more than a warm bubble bath and the comfort of reading her favorite novels, again and again.

Despite her many adventures, talents and accomplishments, Sondra’s greatest devotion was to her family. She prayed for them daily and cherished each member of her growing posterity. To all who knew her, she will always be “Grandma Sondra”—a name spoken with love and gratitude.

She is survived by Earle Stuard her loving and devoted husband of 54 years; her brother, Jeff Crane of Palm Springs, California; her sister-in-law Carol (Jeff) Paasch of University Place, Washington; her children: Kelle (Dal) Talbot of Covington, Washington; Hilary (Bruce) Birdsell of Renton, Washington; Megan (Kurt) Clayson of St. George, Utah; Mitchell (Mindy) Stuard of Maple Valley, Washington; and stepson Peter (Pam) Stuard of University Place, Washington. Her legacy continues through her grandchildren: Paige (Ryan) Stanley, Harrison Farr, Sean Farr, Scott (Julie) Birdsell, Matthew (Anna) Clayson, Reece (Kiara) Clayson, Makenzie Clayson, Tayler (Jensen) Brown, Elder Cameron Stuard (currently serving in the California, Anaheim Mission), Julia Stuard, Natalie Stuard, Lucy Stuard and Dylan Stuard; with great-grandchildren: Vince, Jake, Heidi, and Joslyn Stanley; Mila and Zoey Birdsell; Archer, Charlie, Lily, and Sara Clayson; Coen, Navy, and Iyla Clayson; Mace LeFevre; and Roland Brown.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lynn and Maxine Crane; her sister, Jill Crane; her brother-in-law, Nick Kristin, and her great-grandson, Gunner Brown.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Retreat at Sunbrook in St. George—especially Kaitlin Sevy, Joyelle Turley, Kinley Bergman, Ellie Hartman, Maddie Lopez and others for the loving care and attention they gave to Sondra during her stay in the memory care unit. Also, many thanks to the team from Mission Hospice led by Christy Warner, RN for the devoted care and kindness extended to Sondra.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on July 7, 2025 at the Heritage Building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 240 E 1060 S in Ivins, Utah. A viewing will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow at Tonaquint Cemetery - 1777 S. Dixie Drive, St. George, UT

Arrangements are under the direction of McMillan Mortuary - 499 E. Tabernacle Street, Saint George, UT 84770. (435-688-8880).

For friends or family who are unable to attend in person, funeral services may be viewed by clicking the livestream link found at the bottom of Sondra’s Obituary at www.McMillanMortuary.com.