JoAnne Stallings Sontag

JoAnne Stallings Sontag December 14, 1928 - March 7, 2016 JoAnne Stallings Sontag was a model of enjoying every day to the fullest. When given two dessert choices, she would inevitably order "a little bit of both." When presented with beautiful scenery - her favorite being the Lafayette Reservoir, which "soothed her soul" - she would happily appreciate the view for hours. In every respect, she lived well. She was joyful, vibrant, patient, charming, and gracious to the very end. She passed away in her beloved Lafayette home on March 7, 2016 at 87 years of age, eager to begin her next big adventure. JoAnne was born in Eden, Utah on December 14, 1928. Her parents, Arthur D. Stallings and Verna Folkman Stallings, taught her the importance of being "twice as nice" as the other children, so as to not seem like a spoiled only child. Given her gentle, generous heart, the lesson must have stuck. She graduated with a degree in social work from Utah State University, where she was affiliated with Pi Gamma Mu, social science honorary; Phi Kappa Phi, scholastic honorary; and Chi Omega. Sixty-four years ago, JoAnne agreed to a blind date with Second Lieutenant Herbert Paul Sontag, Jr., and it was an unforgettable evening: the "worst date" of JoAnnes life. In his attempts to impress a cute farm girl (and his Army buddies), Herb acted like a "big city hotshot." When asked why she later agreed to a second outing with him, she admitted, "It was something to do." However, JoAnne quickly discovered Herbs charming nature and found herself eager to keep seeing him. After a romantic courtship on the ski slopes at Snowbasin, Utah (where JoAnne taught Herb to ski), Herb was stationed overseas with the U.S. Army at Giessen, Germany. He wasted no time sending for "Jannie" (with a letter that mimicked army orders), and she joined First Lieutenant Sontag in Marburg, Germany for a fairytale wedding. They spent a magical week honeymooning in Switzerland, although JoAnne referred to their time in Germany as a "nine-month honeymoon." They were inseparable, even sharing one of the tiny single beds in their first apartment. Throughout their lives, Herb and JoAnne never lost their youthful romance. They were known to spoon on top of picnic tables, send each other on scavenger hunts, and drop everything to dance to their favorite songs. When JoAnne was working as Herbs secretary at his commercial real estate company, she kept his demands in check by threatening to report him for sexual harassment. She made sure that Herb never forgot National Secretary Day, which included chocolates and flowers (tulips and daffodils being her favorites). There is no doubt that JoAnnes greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted parent to her three children - Heidi Botts (Steve), Erich (Shelley) and Christopher (Dawn). She adored her 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren (#13 due in June) and delighted in spoiling them whenever possible. JoAnne was well loved and known for her love of people. She was a loyal friend to many who appreciated her warm and patient manner. Collecting friendships was one of her talents. She found these special friendships through her long- time memberships in the Dimond Literary Club, bridge and dinner clubs, formal dance group, and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Some of her dearest friends were "The Walkers," with whom she walked around the Lafayette Reservoir every day for over 30 years. She frequently recounted one trip around the Res when the ladies were chased, screaming frantically, by a flock of wild turkeys. She also made fast friends with the owners of her favorite local vacation spot, a quaint little cottage in Carmel-by-the-Sea. She enjoyed being involved with the Lafayette chapter of AFS Intercultural Programs, through which her family hosted two siblings from Uruguay. As a result, Carlos and Andrea Jaurena, as well as their spouses and children, remain dear members of the family to this day. JoAnne cherished her trip to Pando, Uruguay to meet Carlos and Andreas parents, who, she was thrilled to find, loved to laugh almost as much as she did. JoAnne lived for beautiful music. Prior to marrying Herb, she played violin with the Shorty Ross Orchestra ("Music for Romance"). Many years later, she and her daughter Heidi played in the DVC chamber orchestra violin section together. Twenty years ago, JoAnne and Herb were founding members of the Rossmoor Big Band, playing "music from [their] era." They attended many jazz festivals around the West, including Monterey, Sacramento, Mammoth Lakes, and Sun Valley (their favorite, which they attended for over 25 years). JoAnne also enjoyed subscriptions to the SF Symphony, SF Ballet, Best of Broadway, Willows Theater Company, California Shakespeare Company, Town Hall Theater Company, Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra, DeYoung museum, and Legion of Honor museum. JoAnne was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served within the church in many capacities, including President of the Oakland Stake Relief Society (a bay area chapter of a world-wide womens organization). A highlight from that service was the opportunity to oversee a large conference attended by thousands of women. She was also thrilled to host the conferences guest speakers: General Relief Society President Barbara Winder and Sheri Dew, a member of her board. Other LDS church assignments involved volunteering with her husband in congregations from Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. JoAnne was a gifted teacher to people of all ages but especially loved nurturing little children. As such, she served many times in the childrens Primary organization both teaching the children and mentoring the adults. Near the end of her life, she was asked for a favorite memory. Her ready reply was "backpacking in the Sierra Mountains," with one clarification: she did not enjoy Herbs cross-country shortcuts, which usually took longer and required crawling over swollen streams on a log. Everything else -- the family time, the spectacular vistas, and the fun exercise -- was bliss. On these backpacking trips, and on many other occasions throughout her life, her family delighted in making her laugh. JoAnnes infectious and uncontrollable laughter frequently rendered her immobile, hanging onto a tree, boulder, or person for support. If her giggles sent her to the ground, getting her back onto her feet was an impossible task that often caused others to collapse to the ground in laughter, as well. JoAnne was light, love, and joy personified, and although her physical presence will be missed, her spirit may be felt wherever there is kindness, an incredible view, and cookies. A family memorial graveside service for JoAnne Stallings Sontag will be held on May 13 at 2:00pm at the Eden Cemetery, Eden, Utah. Graveside Service Friday, May 13, 2016 02:00 pm Eden Cemetery 6197 E 2100 N, Eden UT 84310