Gondring, Phyllis J. 1941-2024 St. Joseph, Mo.
By NewsPress Now
Phyllis J. Gondring, 82, St. Joseph, passed away in peace and surrounded by her family on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024.
This earth was graced with Phyllis’ birth on Oct. 8, 1941, to Kenneth and Dorothy (Embers) Withiam, in McPherson, Kansas. Phyllis was raised in Cushing, Oklahoma, by her parents with her brother, Samuel Withiam, along with her love of Elvis Presley. Phyllis just attended her 65th Cushing High School graduation in May 2024. While she was a dedicated student, no one could argue that she enjoyed a bit of mischief and fun along the way.
After graduating high school, Phyllis attended Nursing School at the University of Oklahoma. It was there and in the cafeteria that she met a medical intern and the future love of her life, William “Bill” H. Gondring, a St. Joseph native, whom she married in Cushing on June 6, 1964. They honeymooned in the Ozarks and canoed the Current River. Phyllis and Bill just celebrated their 60th Anniversary in June of this year. Simply put, they just always enjoyed each other passionately for their entire marriage and were best friends.
After they got married, Phyllis finished her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, later earning her Master’s Degree as well.
Phyllis was grateful for her adventures with Bill which they shared in their early marriage. Those adventures included traveling with Bill for his Naval service to places like San Diego, a place she considered a dream. Phyllis had orders to serve as a nurse during the Vietnam War where Bill was serving at the time. Those orders were cancelled at the last minute, which was a blow to her given her love of Bill and adventure.
Phyllis’ nursing career also found her working in numerous hospitals across the nation and eventually included Methodist Hospital delivering babies and the Buchanan County Social Welfare Board at Patee Hall, in St. Joseph, helping people in need.
Phyllis and Bill moved to St. Joseph in 1976 where she enjoyed raising her three daughters whom she nicknamed Stacy Poo, Christy Pot and Jody Poop.
When the girls were starting their own families and having already traveled the world to places like Japan, Amsterdam, Italy, England, Portugal, Spain, Phyllis and Bill discovered their mutual love of Kauai, Hawaii, where they built their dream home. Kauai had a special place in Phyllis’ heart, and she cherished her time with Bill and family there. Again, Phyllis’ love of adventure was witnessed when she parachuted out of an airplane in Kauai at the age of 72.
Phyllis volunteered at various organizations including Heartland Hospital and the Arthritis Association. She was a member of the First Lutheran Church, of two book clubs, The Flower Society, PEO, PTA and a homeroom mother while her daughters were in school. During this time, she also found, again, a bit of mischief from time to time with her best friend, Barbra LaBass. While their monkey-business was legendary, it is not suitable for publishing!
Above all, her proudest moments were being involved in the births of her precious seven grandchildren. Given that she only had daughters, it was surprising that her first six grandchildren were all boys. Her seventh, and last, grandchild was a girl who inherited Phyllis’ good taste and the love of shopping.
From the interior details of her homes to the clothes she wore, Phyllis demonstrated a style that was elegant yet laid back and was always well put-together. She was an excellent cook and hosted many parties with her friends and family.
Phyllis enjoyed hiking and going for walks with her family in Kauai. She especially loved seeing the monk seals and sea turtles. She was also a voracious reader and excellent gardener.
Later in life, Phyllis gracefully endured the hardship of hearing loss and never let it stop her. Phyllis would get tickled by the small things in life and had a great sense of humor, both of which was seen through her “fake poop” collection.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Dorothy Withiam, and her brother, Sam Withiam.
Survivors include her beloved husband of 60 years, Dr. William H. Gondring; their daughters, Stacy Gondring, Christy Gondring (Kyle Matchell) and Jody Gondring (Mark Abbott); grandchildren, Zackery Gondring Hicks (Natalie), Forrest Mackinley “Mac” Gondring Hicks, William Henry Gondring Matchell, Jackson Frederick Gondring Matchell, Samuel Kenneth Abbott, Theodore William Gondring Abbott, and Caroline Marie Gondring Abbott; special friends, Ann Blizzard and Barbara LaBass; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 3 p.m. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Memorial contributions can be made to Cochlear Americas or Hearing Loss Association of America.
Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
