Norbert Sonnek

Posted 5/22/03

Funeral services for Norbert Peter Sonnek, 86, were scheduled Wednesday, May 21, at St. Mary¹s Catholic Church in Milaca with the Rev. Charlie Kunkel officiating. Pallbearers were Eric, Kyle, Chad Jr. and Curtis Sonnek, Brandon Beck, David Isakson, Lester Millam and Ronald Hoeck. Burial was in the St. Mary¹s Catholic Church in Milaca. Military honors were by the Milaca Hansen-Hayes American Legion Post and Siemers-Hakes VFW Post of Milaca.

Arrangements were by the Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home in Milaca.

Mr. Sonnek died Saturday, May 17, 2003 at his home near Foreston from cancer.

He was born on May 26, 1916 to Frank and Caroline (Osdoba) Sonnek in Minnesota Lake, Minn. He grew up on the family farm and attended Minnesota Lake Schools. After high school he attended Crosier College at Onamia for a year. Norbert married Marjorie Jordahl June 19, 1940 at the Catholic church in Minnesota Lake. He served in the merchant marine from 1942 to 1945. In 1954 the couple moved to Brownsdale, Minn., where he operated the Sonnek Grain and Feed Co. In 1962 they moved to Foreston where he worked for the fertilizer plant in Foreston. He continued to farm until 1978 when he retired.

Norbert was a long-time member of St. Mary¹s Catholic Church. He also was a member of the American Legion Post and the Knights of Columbus. Norbert enjoyed golfing and card playing and was a great Minnesota Vikings fan.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marjorie; four sons, Norbert Jr. and wife Judy of Foreston, Chad and wife Anne of Vicksburg, Miss., Michael and wife Edith of Foreston, and Jan of Des Moines, Iowa; one daughter, Zita of Milaca; 13 grandchildren, Troy, Therese, Kim, Eric, Kyle, Chad Jr., Jennifer, Curtis, Tami, Jamie, Jana, Cody and Jacklynn; 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Dolly (Clem) Yokiel of Wells, Minn., Anna Fischer of Minnesota Lake and Dorothy Newbaur of Wells; and one brother, Peter (Jean) Sonnek of Wells.

He was preceded in death by his parents; nine brothers; three sisters; daughter, Joyce; two sons, Roger and Kirk; and a great-granddaughter, Rachel.