Elwood UT--Elizabeth Ann (Liz) Woodger beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend returned suddenly to her Heavenly Father on July 26, 2026. Liz was born the second child of five to Edward Winston Woodger and Norma Taylor Woodger in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 7, 1949.
Her mother had always wanted to name her first girl Kathleen and shared this with her sister Helen Ballsteadt. When Helen’s daughter came first and was named Kathleen, her mother decided to name her first daughter Elizabeth after both of her grandmothers, Elizabeth Cunliffe Taylor and Sarah Elizabeth Clarke Woodger Boyer. However, she never went by her full name of Elizabeth but was always just Liz.
At an early age, Liz learned to cook at her mother’s side becoming adept at making rolls, cream puffs and Swedish Tea Rings. When the family lived at 4650 South 1130 East, Liz actually baked homemade bread, loaded it in her little red wagon and sold it to the neighbors. Later when the family lived at Haxton Place it is remembered that Liz would set the large formal dining room table, invite every friend she knew, and treat them to incredible feasts she cooked by herself.
She would often help her brother Ted with his paper route and became the neighborhood’s most sought-after babysitter.
In 1959, Liz’ mother was in an automobile accident where she was hit head on and severely injured. Over the next 5 years she endured more than 20 operations on her neck, back and knee. During this time many nannies/house keepers were hired to help with Liz and her younger siblings. When Liz was around twelve years old, she announced to her father that he no longer needed to hire housekeepers because she could do better than any of them and she promised she would now take care of her little brother and sisters. Her father concurred and began to place much of the household responsibility on Liz who matured beyond her age. She became a substitute mother and never stopped caring for them for the rest of her life.
One cherished memory happened at Christmas time when her dad gave each of the younger children $10 to spend on presents and had Liz take them downtown on the bus. Her sister Cheryl remembers going to many stores and Liz holding her hand and helping her to buy presents.
Mary Jane remembers Liz doting on her and buying her dolls and stuffed animals that were lined up each night on her double bed before going to sleep. She also always brought home presents and surprises that she knew Janie would love, a tradition she carried on with her own grandchildren.
Liz graduated from East High School in 1968 where she was a member of the Pep Club/Drill Team. She then attended the University of Utah and Weber State University where she received a B.S. in Dietetics.
She supported herself while going to college by working at a Skaggs Drug Store. After her graduation she was offered the position of General Manager for the Skaggs Corporation. She became the first female to serve in this position relocating her to Spokane, Washington. She was a forerunner for many women to take managerial posts many years ahead of her time. Whatever Liz decided she was going to do, she did it and was always incredible at it.
When her brother Ted bought apartments in Provo including the Riveria Apartments, Liz became a businesswoman managing the apartments, keeping track of hundreds of Brigham Young University students. She then started her own business, EBC Management, and managed several apartments around the state of Utah for US Homes on top of her busy workload. Later, she was hired at Peak Distributing as an Office Manager and was instrumental in their growth for decades. She retired from Peak Distributing at the end of 2019.
Liz was her younger siblings’ “go to” for everything from “Help! I need a plumber” to “What is that recipe of mom’s?” Cheryl remembers her being there as she gave birth to each of her four children. When Cheryl went into labor with her second son, Bryan, Liz came to help. As she headed to the hospital, she begged Liz to make one of her famous treats. When mother and baby came home from the hospital, there were treats to greet them. After each baby when Liz went to return home, Cheryl would beg her to stay, crying she didn’t know how she was going to manage. Liz would put her arms around her and tell her she would be fine.
One cannot think of Liz without thinking of Christmas candy. The Woodger children grew up with the tradition of dipping chocolates at Christmas time. This skill had been handed down by their Grandmother Taylor who learned how to dip chocolates at a candy store before she married. Though all the children were involved with the Christmas tradition, it was Liz who became the expert. Each year throughout her life she made hundreds of pounds of candy to give away at Christmas time. Neighbors, friends, and family members were the recipients of her culinary art. Her expertise will never be duplicated nor will the love with which she made her candy.
Liz was the favorite treasured aunt. Always unselfish and the epitome of generosity, she was always thinking of how she could bless her family from taking them to Disneyland to mailing every VHS movie and game to Germany. Liz never missed a birthday or Christmas in providing gifts for every member of her extended family. We will surely miss her each year as we celebrate without her treasured presents.
Liz had a talent of making lifelong friends wherever she went. Some of these friends were older, others were younger, but the commonality was that Liz saw something special in them and helped them see it too.
Of all the roles Liz played in her life, the most treasured was that of being a mother. Shortly before her father’s death, he told her that she was meant to be a mother and to do whatever it takes. She went through great lengths to bring Joshua into this world in 1985 and adopt Jacob from Colombia in 1988. Her children may have came to her in unconventional ways, but there is no question that her two boys were meant to be hers.
While she had many talents, her greatest joy in life was being a mother. She poured her entire heart into raising her children, Josh and Jacob, teaching them hard work, integrity, the gospel, resilience, and the value of being a child of God. To Liz, motherhood wasn't a duty; it was her favorite adventure and her proudest accomplishment. She lived a life filled with color, but nothing brought a brighter smile to her face than her sons. She was their ultimate cheerleader, attending every game, celebrating every milestone, and offering a safe haven through life's storms.
Jacob’s passing in 2009 was very hard for Liz, but she relied on her faith and knew it was time for Jesus to call him Home. During this and through other life challenges, she relied heavily on her faith, friends, family, neighbors, and ward. After that hard year, a dear friend gifted Liz and Josh tickets to a Patriots game which became an annual tradition for them. Liz and Josh travelled throughout the country supporting the New England Patriots over the last 15 years.
The joy she found in motherhood extended to her grandchildren – Eleanore Elizabeth, Winston James, and Jett Jacob who will forever carry the memories of living with Grandma Liz. She chose presence, protection, and profound love every single day as she nurtured her family.
A valiant member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Liz had a deep testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She served in many callings in the Church, but her favorite was as the Primary chorister where she loved duplicating the skills she had learned from her dad as a conductor. She cared deeply about the members of her ward. Liz was a sacrificing, generous, and loyal woman. Her life was filled with service to the Church and fellowmen, love of family, hard work, selflessness, generosity, and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Her family hopes they can live up to her example of hard work and devotion to God and family.
As she passed away, we know she was embraced in heaven by her dear Jacob, and her loving parents. She kept that promise she made to her father long ago to take care of his family.
Liz is survived by her son Joshua Winston, his wife Kallen Konen, her grandchildren, Eleanore, Winston and JJ whom she will continue to love dearly and watch over for all of eternity. She is also survived by her brothers, Edward Taylor Woodger (Rebecca Von Dorp), Clarke Taylor Woodger (Susan Meacham) and her sisters Cheryl (Larry) Thompson, and Mary Jane (Christopher) Searle.
She was preceded in death by her son, Jacob Taylor Woodger and her parents Edward Winston Woodger and Norma Taylor Woodger.
The funeral and viewing will be held at the Holladay Stake Center located at 2675 E 4430 S, Holladay, UT 84124. There will be a viewing at the Stake Center on Thursday evening, July 30, from 6-8 pm. A viewing will also be held Friday, July 31, from 9:00-10:30 with the funeral at 11:00 am. She will be laid to rest in American Fork Cemetery 26 W 600 N, American Fork, UT beside her son.
Those wishing to view the service via Zoom can click "Watch Service" or follow the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83124846393