I only met him three times, but he was a fine man, a staunch Catholic and a WWII hero. And I guess I'm a bit like him (he was my grandfather's cousin)...I just wonder if it was his desire to be cremated (which has never in the history of the world been Christian custom).
John Stewart Sonnen: 1913-2008
Faithful to the End
Sonnen, John Stewart
Born February 2, 1913 in St. Paul, MN.
Died January 5, 2008 in St. Paul, MN.
John grew up at Rice and Como in St. Paul and attended Cathedral Grade School. He graduated from Mechanic Arts High School in 1931. He attended the University of Minnesota, working toward a degree in Journalism. He was a member of the Cathedral congregation, then St. Mark's Catholic Church, and finally Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He co-managed his father's grocery store as of 1933 and took over ownership of the store at Fairview and Selby in the 1940's. The store later moved to Selby and Griggs. After selling the store in 1962, he worked for Leslie Paper Company, Minneapolis, as a dispatcher. He then worked for Home Federal Savings and Loan in Minneapolis. He most enjoyed his work as a real estate appraiser. He retired in 1978. John volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1943. He was a corporal in the U.S. Army's "Fightin' Five Niner Seven," serving as an intelligence non-commissioned officer in the European Theater from 1944-1946. Throughout his life, John was active in the community. He volunteered for such organizations as the Grocers Association, the St. Paul Winter Carnival, the Merriam Park Community Council, Minnesota Historical Society, and the MN Territorial Pioneers. He was a student of history, his family's genealogy, and current affairs. He enjoyed playing golf. He had fond memories of spending time with friends and family at the cabin in Frontenac, MN. He followed the Minnesota Twins and Timberwolves with great interest. He wrote engaging accounts about his life. His published articles included ‘Swanberg Summers' (a reminiscence of his summers as a boy at the family's cabin in Cross Lake, MN) and ‘Out of the Attic' (excerpts from letters between John and his wife Georgiana during WWII). Preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Georgiana Kippels Sonnen and his second wife of 13 years, Marion Lindorfer. Survived by his children, Stuart Sonnen (Regina), Kiki Sonnen (Michael Samuelson), Mark Sonnen (Ellen Witkowsky) and Marcy Sonnen Leland (Thomas) and grandchildren, Eric, Trisha, Edward, Andrew and Kyle; other extended family members and by many friends. Mass of Christian Burial 10 AM Wednesday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Randolph at Albert St., St. Paul. Luncheon and reception to be held at the church immediately following Mass. Visitation from 4 PM to 8 PM Tuesday at Willwerscheid Funeral Home, 1167 Grand Ave., St. Paul. Private interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library, the Minnesota Historical Society or Holy Spirit Parish. Willwerscheid Funeral Home & Cremation Service 651-228-1006.
John Stewart Sonnen: 1913-2008
Faithful to the End
Sonnen, John Stewart
Born February 2, 1913 in St. Paul, MN.
Died January 5, 2008 in St. Paul, MN.
John grew up at Rice and Como in St. Paul and attended Cathedral Grade School. He graduated from Mechanic Arts High School in 1931. He attended the University of Minnesota, working toward a degree in Journalism. He was a member of the Cathedral congregation, then St. Mark's Catholic Church, and finally Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He co-managed his father's grocery store as of 1933 and took over ownership of the store at Fairview and Selby in the 1940's. The store later moved to Selby and Griggs. After selling the store in 1962, he worked for Leslie Paper Company, Minneapolis, as a dispatcher. He then worked for Home Federal Savings and Loan in Minneapolis. He most enjoyed his work as a real estate appraiser. He retired in 1978. John volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1943. He was a corporal in the U.S. Army's "Fightin' Five Niner Seven," serving as an intelligence non-commissioned officer in the European Theater from 1944-1946. Throughout his life, John was active in the community. He volunteered for such organizations as the Grocers Association, the St. Paul Winter Carnival, the Merriam Park Community Council, Minnesota Historical Society, and the MN Territorial Pioneers. He was a student of history, his family's genealogy, and current affairs. He enjoyed playing golf. He had fond memories of spending time with friends and family at the cabin in Frontenac, MN. He followed the Minnesota Twins and Timberwolves with great interest. He wrote engaging accounts about his life. His published articles included ‘Swanberg Summers' (a reminiscence of his summers as a boy at the family's cabin in Cross Lake, MN) and ‘Out of the Attic' (excerpts from letters between John and his wife Georgiana during WWII). Preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Georgiana Kippels Sonnen and his second wife of 13 years, Marion Lindorfer. Survived by his children, Stuart Sonnen (Regina), Kiki Sonnen (Michael Samuelson), Mark Sonnen (Ellen Witkowsky) and Marcy Sonnen Leland (Thomas) and grandchildren, Eric, Trisha, Edward, Andrew and Kyle; other extended family members and by many friends. Mass of Christian Burial 10 AM Wednesday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Randolph at Albert St., St. Paul. Luncheon and reception to be held at the church immediately following Mass. Visitation from 4 PM to 8 PM Tuesday at Willwerscheid Funeral Home, 1167 Grand Ave., St. Paul. Private interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library, the Minnesota Historical Society or Holy Spirit Parish. Willwerscheid Funeral Home & Cremation Service 651-228-1006.
In your pity pray for his soul.
1 comment:
May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
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