Hoecker, Sandra K. 1943-20-25 St. Joseph, Mo.
Sandra Kay Hoecker, a loving wife and mother of two sons, passed away at the age of 81 on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025. Sandra, or Sandy as she was known by many, was born on July 1, 1943, in St. Joseph, to Louis and Hazel (Teschner) Canterbury.
She graduated from Benton High School in 1961. Sandy met her future husband, Larry Lee Hoecker, at St. Joseph Junior College and the two married April 6,1963, at Zion United Church of Christ. They raised two sons, Landon (Alan), of Phoenix, Arizona, and Jarrod (Lisa), of Ontario, California.
Sandy worked during her teen years as a lifeguard at the Hyde Park Public Swimming Pool. Once her children themselves were teenagers, she secured her broker license and worked for a number of years as a realtor in St. Joseph. When her oldest son, Landon, went to college, Sandy made the decision to pursue a lifelong passion for a career in healthcare, attending the current Missouri Western State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree of registered nurse. She would go on to function in a number of roles, first as a surgical OR nurse, then in home health care before assuming the role of educator for certified nursing assistants at Hillyard Technical.
Sandy always dreamed of living in the southwest. After retiring at the age of 61, she and Larry decided to leave their beloved hometown and relocate to Arizona. They first settled into a new home in Surprise, Arizona, where they resided for 17 years before relocating in 2021 to Freedom Plaza Retirement Center in Peoria, Arizona. Outside of work, Sandy was an avid gamer. She loved all sorts of card games and marbles as well as the thrill of the casino slots. While at Freedom Plaza, she would often be found working on puzzles, playing Mexican Train dominoes, bingo, or Phase 10 cards.
Family was a central part of her life. She will be deeply missed by her family and many friends.
Sandy was preceded in death by her father, Louis; her brother, Daryl; followed by mother, Hazel; and later by her husband, Larry.
Sandy is survived by her two sons, Landon and Jarrod, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Graveside Farewell Services & Inurnment 10 a.m. Saturday, June 21, Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
