Juanita Sunderlage Obituary (1919 - 2008)

An Elect Lady Our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, Mabel Juanita Sunderlage, age 88, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 20, 2008 in Sandy. Her family members were able to express their love to her the day she returned to her Heavenly Father. Juanita was born August 16, 1919 in Vienna, Illinois, a community in the southern part of the state. She had five brothers and one sister. The Jones family was a loving family which was generous with their limited means. When Juanita was in her youth, her family moved to Elgin, Illinois. She Attended Elgin High School where she actively participated in sports. Shortly after high school, Juanita met Wilbert Sunderlage, a handsome and athletic young baseball player who operated his own egg business. Wilbert was better known as Webbs. They were married in 1939. Juanita and Webbs were married for 54 years before he passed away in September of 1994. They loved to travel together and especially enjoyed California, Minnesota, and Oregon. Their love intensified as the years progressed. Juanita always had a nice way with people. She was particularly sensitive to those with needs. She was very empathetic, and that quality never left her throughout her life. Her four grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren adored her, and she delighted in them. Juanita worked several years during her life. Her employment included working with tabulating equipment in the early days of data processing, and in her later years worked for retail grocers. She has been a long standing member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her callings were extensive with most of those in the Relief Society, the women’s auxiliary. In 1995, Juanita moved to St. George, Utah to be closer to her son and his family. She continued a very active life style in this vibrant community. Her calendar was filled with church meetings, days at the temple, college concerts and football games. She especially enjoyed a close circle of friends in the Meadow Creek Senior Community. Her life style was altered abruptly, when she suffered a serious stroke in 2002. After a period of rehabilitation, she moved to Salt Lake City where she has resided the past five plus years at the Wentworth at Willow Creek, an assisted living facility. Juanita was a profile in faith. She remained steadfast during her many years and provided a wonderful example to her family. Juanita is survived by her only child, a son, Jack (Jean) Sunderlage of Sandy, Utah 4 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. A viewing will be held Saturday, March 22, 2008 from 1o-12:00 noon at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway (10600 So.). Funeral Services will be held in Elgin, Illinois. The Sunderlage Family would like to thank the kind and caring health care providers at The Wentworth at Willow Creek and it companion unit, the Stratford, during the past 5 years. It was their constant care that enabled Juanita to retain her dignity and to make the most of her difficult situation in these final years. They also express their appreciation to Sunbrook Hospice for providing comfort and compassionate support to Juanita and her family during her final days. In lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions on behalf of Juanita Sunderlage may be made to The Huntsman Cancer Foundation, 500 Huntsman Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108.