Phyllis Jean "PJ" Sondag

October 3, 1934 - December 2, 2020

Phyllis Jean "PJ" Sondag, 86, of Manito, passed away at 9:45 p.m., on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at OSF-St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. She was born October 3, 1934, in Bordulac, North Dakota, to Ferd and Rachel (Partlow) Bauer. She married Joseph B. Sondag on February 5, 1952, in Sykeston, North Dakota. He survives. Mrs. Sondag is survived by her husband, Joseph, of Manito; nine children: Sherry Hoffman of Manito, Bob (Theresa) Sondag of Manito, Ron (Ray) Sondag of Kansas City, Missouri, Joan (Guy) Mattson of Manito, Patricia Bucholtz of Manito, Jeanne (Joe) Bender of Bloomington, Illinois, Karen (Randy) Himmel of Forest City, Illinois, Julie (Bill) Grant of Manito and Kim (Bryan) Donaldson of Seacaucus, New Jersey; as well as eighteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Also surviving are one sister: Marlene (Jerry) Schaak of Bismark, North Dakota and two brothers: Bill (Marlys) Bauer of Carrington, North Dakota and Paul (Cheryl) Bauer of Williston, North Dakota. She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister: Delores (Al) Ihringer and one brother: Gary (Marjorie) Bauer. Mrs. Sondag was a homemaker who stayed busy raising nine kids. She later worked twenty-four years for the US Postal Service, Manito Office. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Manito, where she was very active in Altar and Rosary Society and all church activities. PJ helped plan and launch the first Popcorn Festival in Manito. PJ and Joe participated in the Cursillo in Christianity and were involved in the Prison Ministry for many years. She was a "mom" to all her nine children's friends. Her door was always open to whoever needed a friend or helping hand. Her smile and compassion were her gifts to many. PJ's strongest attribute was her faith and belief in Jesus. Her faith was evident in all she did and with everyone she met. The Rosary will be prayed at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, December 7, 2020, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with visitation following from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. In accordance to current guidelines, masks will be required for all in attendance and social distancing will be followed. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, also at her church. Fr. David Whiteside and Deacon Bob Sondag will officiate. Burial will follow the servics at St. Frederick's Cemetery in Manito. Memorial contributions may be made to Immaculate Conception Building Fund. Online memorial messages may be left for the family at www.hurleyfh.com. Maas-Hurley Funeral Home in Manito is in charge of arrangements.