Sharon Elaine Craker

1954 - 2024

Sharon Elaine (Strzok) Craker

CORNELL - Sharon Elaine (Strzok) Craker, age 69, of Cornell passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2024 at home surrounded by family. She was born on June 28, 1954 in Oak Park, IL to Theodore and Louise (Stokosa) Strzok and was the oldest of seven children. The young family moved to a farm south of Thorp and eventually settled in Holcombe where Sharon enrolled as a 2nd grader at the Holcombe school, graduating with the Class of 1972.

She caught the eye of Lee Craker, Jr. at Larry's South Shore Resort in Holcombe in 1970 and they married on July 15, 1972 at Holy Cross Parish in Cornell. After a few years in Cornell, they chose the outskirts of town to build their country home for their family.

Lee and Sharon witnessed many sporting and music events over the years for their children and grandchildren which brought them immense pride and joy.

Sharon's work ethic was instilled as a young girl at her family's business - Ted & Lou's. After marriage she worked in clerical at the Cornell Paper Mill for several years and in 2000 achieved an Accounting degree at CVTC. Sharon's employment years culminated at Heyde Companies and Dove Healthcare with retirement in 2013.

However, she loved being a wife, homemaker, mom, and a grandmother, the very best.

Sharon embraced her Polish heritage with her love of polka music and traditional Polish foods - pierogies and golumpkis. When the opportunity arose to travel to her ancestral Poland in 2010, she invited Lee to accompany her on a trip of a lifetime to a land from where all eight great-grandparents immigrated.

Lee and Sharon also enjoyed travel to Hawaii, Florida, and many road trips across the U.S./Canada anywhere from the East Coast to British Columbia over the years.

Other interests were her love of hiking and skiing at Brunet Island State Park, kayaking, music, reading and flower gardening. Sharon felt honored to share her gardens in the 2017 Lake Holcombe Garden Tour.

Surviving are her loving husband and best friend, of 51 years, Lee; their two devoted sons: Eric (Molly) Craker of Mikana and Steve (Terri) Craker of Cornell; and their lovely daughter, Katie (Dan) Olsen of Inver Grove Heights, MN. Lee and Sharon's sweet grandchildren: Sean and Maggie Craker, Parker Craker, Isabella (James) Acierto, and Emily, Meredith, and Hallie Olsen; and the "greats": Mateo and Raya Acierto.

Sharon is also survived by all her caring siblings: Sid (Jill) Strzok of Monument, CO, Tom (Sandy) Strzok of Holcombe, Sandy (Jack) Evans of Shell Knob, MO, Laurie (Howard) Hennekens, Brian (Shawna) Strzok and Ted (Lori Craker) Strzok, Jr. all of Holcombe. Additionally survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, Lee's siblings, and dear friends.

Preceding her in death (and who provided a great influence in Sharon's life) are her parents, Ted and Lou, grandparents, Louis and Lottie (Lewandowski) Stokosa, Thomas and Mary (Moskiewicz) Strzok Sciezor and her parents-in-law, Lee, Sr. and Laurel (Hurlburt) Craker.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 5, 2024 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Flambeau with interment to follow at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Holcombe. A Celebration of Life gathering will follow at Eastbay Lodge Banquet rRom starting at 4:00 p.m.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at Borton-Leiser Funeral Home in Cornell from 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. as well as one hour before mass.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to St. Croix Hospice, family, and friends for all of the care, love and support showered on Sharon during her final months.

Express online condolences at www.bortonleiserfuneralhome.com.

Borton-Leiser Funeral Home in Cornell, WI is assisting the family.