Geraldine M. "Geri" Sondgeroth

1935 - 2021

Geraldine M. 'Geri' Sondgeroth

Born: November 22, 1935; Mendota

Died: April 1, 2021; Mendota

MENDOTA – Geraldine Margaret "Geri" Sondgeroth, 85, of Mendota, passed away April 1, 2021, at Heritage Health, Mendota after a long illness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at Holy Cross Church, Mendota, with Father Peter Pilon officiating. The Mass will be live streamed via Zoom link at www.mendotacatholic.org. Burial will follow the Mass at Holy Cross Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation will be Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota. Masks are required and social distancing is recommended.

Geraldine Margaret Funfsinn was born in Mendota on November 22, 1935, to Joseph Anton Funfsinn and Margaret Louise (Yost) Funfsinn. Geri graduated from Sts. Peter and Paul School in Peterstown, Illinois, near Mendota, and from Mendota High School in 1953.  Like many farm girls of the era, she married shortly after high school, starting her life with her soulmate, Clifford Louis (Cliff) Sondgeroth, on June 20, 1953, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Peterstown.

Geri and Cliff lived, worked, and raised their children south of Arlington, Illinois, on the first farm they purchased. Geri was a devoted and skilled farm wife, handling domestic chores and child-raising, as well as working alongside Cliff to raise crops and livestock. She was a valued member of her community. She served on the school board of LaMoille Community Unit School District, as a 4-H leader, and in the quilting club and the Altar Society of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Arlington, where she and Cliff were active church members.

Geri worked during the 1970s and 1980s as a payroll administrator for the JCPenney store in downtown LaSalle and the Peru Mall. In later years, Geri and Cliff spent their winters in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida, enjoying sunsets and fond friendships with fellow snowbirds. In 1985, Geri and Cliff moved from the Arlington farm to Mendota for their retirement years, and they joined Holy Cross Church in Mendota. Geri waged a long but successful battle against cancer starting in 1991. Surpassing all her other roles and accomplishments, her children agree that she was the best of mothers, always providing sound counsel and steady guidance with loving kindness.

Geri is survived by her son, Steven (Kathleen) Sondgeroth of Peru, Illinois; her daughters, Michelle (Steven) Stouffer of LaMoille, Illinois, and Jane (Jeffrey) Berman of Buffalo Grove, Illinois; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Katherine (Leonard) Funfsinn of Mendota; and her brother-in-law, David (JoAnne) Sondgeroth of Mendota.

Geri was preceded in death by her beloved husband Cliff on January 22, 2021; her parents; and her two brothers Leo Funfsinn and Leonard Funfsinn.

Pallbearers will be Kyle Sondgeroth, Carl Gustafson, Craig Sondgeroth, Eric Kelsey, Kurt Wright, Mark Stouffer, and Daniel Ladd.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make memorial donations in Geri's name may direct them to Holy Cross Church or the donor's choice.

Online condolences to the family may be left at www.merrittfh.com

Geri's family wishes to thank all the staff of Heritage Health, Mendota and OSF Saint Paul Medical Center, Mendota for their care.