Phala Sontag Gardner, 1911-2007

Published Friday, August 3, 2007

Phala Althea Sontag Gardner, 95, of Columbia passed away Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007, at Columbia Manor.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at Memorial Funeral Home with the Rev. Sarah Evans officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Phala was born Oct. 27, 1911, in O’Fallon, the daughter of William and Katie Hawk LeFever.

She graduated from Hickman High School in 1931 and then graduated from Christian College in 1933 with a degree in education.

In her early years, Phala worked at Arcel Garment Factory. She then began her career at Ellis Fischel Hospital in 1949 and worked there until her retirement in 1973. While at Ellis Fischel, Phala returned to school and obtained her LPN license in the mid-60s.

She was a 50-plus-year member of Locust Grove United Methodist Church and a member of the United Methodist Women.

She also served as state president of the LPN Association from 1975 to 1976.

Phala married Thomas Sontag on Feb. 18, 1934, in Columbia, and he preceded her in death in 1975. She then married William "Bud" Gardner in May 1977, and he preceded her in death in 1988.

Survivors include one daughter, Iola Grant and husband Robert of Columbia; three sons, Bill Sontag and wife Barbara and Harold Sontag and wife Clara, all of Columbia, and Roy Sontag and wife Marshia of Vanceboro, N.C.; eight grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by grandson Randy Sontag in 1968; sister Marjorie Givan; and brother Lester LeFever.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Missouri River Hospice, 1410 Heriford Drive, Columbia, Mo., 65202, or Midway Locust Grove United Methodist Church, 2600 N. Locust Grove Church Road, Columbia, Mo., 65202.

Online tributes may be left at www.memorialfuneralhomeand cemetery.com.