Douglas Frank Tadje Sonntag, 70, passed away March 13, 1997, in Salt Lake City from complications of heart disease and diabetes.
He was born December 8, 1926 in Salt Lake City, the son of Lena Emma and Richard Peter Sonntag, the eleventh of twelve children. Doug attended Hamilton Elementary, Roosevelt Jr., and East High Schools. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. Doug attended the University of Utah where he graduated with a B.S. in Sociology.Doug married Marjorie Lee Bench on May 5, 1950 in the Salt Lake Temple. She preceded him in death. He married Gloria Graham, August 22, 1958 in the Salt Lake Temple. He was the father of six children: Nancy, Ellie, Susan, Douglas C., Frank, and Michael Sonntag.
Working for many years as an independent insurance adjuster, Doug was owner and president of Sonntag-Mallory, Inc. He was also a partner with his twin brother, Donald, in Costume Jewelry, Inc., a wholesale jewelry company. In 1974 he was elected to the Utah House of Representatives. He served two terms and was then appointed to the Utah State Tax Commission by Governor Matheson. Following his service in the tax commission, Doug worked in Government Affairs for Utah Power. For the past five years, he continued his work in government affairs. Doug was very involved in community affairs serving on the Board of Trustees of the College of Eastern Utah, and the boards of the Deseret Gym, Hospice of Utah, and as an Honorary Colonel of the Utah Highway Patrol.
An active member of the LDS Church, Doug fulfilled a mission to the Southern California Mission. He showed great love and compassion as a counselor and Bishop of the Val Verda 7th Ward. He served as a counselor in the North Canyon Stake Presidency and also on the high council of the North Canyon and Salt Lake Central Stakes.
Doug is survived by his wife, Gloria; and six children: Nancy and Joe Lyon, Bountiful; Ellie and Doug Stephens; Susan and Tom Horne, Salt Lake; Douglas C. Sonntag, Washington, D.C.; Frank and Debra Sonntag, Salt Lake; and Michael and Holly Sonntag, Draper; 19 grandchildren; and his brothers and sisters: Richard W. Sonntag; Katherine S. Wagstaff; Lawrence Sonntag; Phillip T. Sonntag; Ruth S. Mickelson; George T. Sonntag; his twin brother, Donald T. Sonntag; and Marjorie S. Hoff and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marjorie; and his siblings, Robert R. Sonntag; Walter A. Sonntag; and Arlene S. Kirton.
Funeral services will be Monday, March 17, 1997, at 12 p.m., in the Ensign Stake Center, 589 East 18th Avenue, Salt Lake. Friends and family may call Sunday from 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, and at the church from 11-11:45 a.m. Interment in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the American Diabetes Association of Utah, 340 East 400 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84111.
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