Phyllis Knauss Soger was born on May 11, 1942. She was born at home, in Jefferson County, to Chester Arthur and Mabel Katherine Knauss (Waite). She passed away Friday morning, at the age of 75, at her home, surrounded by family.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her two older brothers, John Knauss and wife Betty, and Charles Knauss.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Gary Lee Soger. Together they have one daughter, Jean Anderson and husband Tim; one son, Jay Soger and wife Lisa; and four grandchildren, Laurel, Jayme and husband Adam, Hannah, and Zach. She was recently blessed to hold her first great grandson, Oliver.
She loved and cared for her nieces and nephews, Robert, Rhonda, Lynn Ann, Kevin and Leon, and all her extended family. She is also survived by a Sister-in-law, who was married to Charles Knauss, Pat Wilson Phillips..
Phyllis was a member of Donoho Prairie Christian Church and, when health permitted, she enjoyed attending early church at Rome Meadows, with Pastor Jonathan Schnautz.
Phyllis graduated early from Bluford High School in 1959. She lived all of her life on a farm with her parents in Jefferson County, and then with Gary in Marion County. She loved gardening, and grew many flowers and plants. She also had a love for hummingbirds and would feed hundreds of them each summer.
She loved caring for her family. She loved baking, and was a master candy maker who gave generously to family and friends. Christmas was her special holiday. She loved giving gifts and blessed many others in addition to her family each year. Her way of life was epitomized by one of the last things she wrote for her family, “Try to do something nice for someone each day.”
Graveside funeral services for Mrs. Soger will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Donoho Prairie Cemetery, with Pastor Tim Anderson officiating. No visitation will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, or to the Donoho Prairie Cemetery fund, and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, PO BOX 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.