Donald Joseph Sonnek, 87, of Wells, died Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, at the Albert Lea Medical Center in Albert Lea. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells. The Rev. Eugene Stenzel will officiate. Visitation will be Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. with a 6 p.m. prayer service at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday, with a Rosary at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in St. Casimir Cemetery in Wells.
Donald Sonnek was born Nov. 4, 1920, the son of Joseph and Agnes (Cegla) Sonnek in Wells. On Sept. 16, 1946, he was united in marriage to Vicky Schultz in Easton. Don was a mechanic at Moll Implement for many years and finished his career as a maintenance engineer at the Wells Hospital until his retirement. He enjoyed watching birds and squirrels in their backyard. Don also enjoyed gardening but especially raising onions in large quantities. He was a woodworker and enjoyed spending time in his shop. Don was a member of St. Casimir Catholic Church, the Rosary Society and he was the caretaker for St. Casimir Cemetery for many years. He liked to read and play cards with his friends. He especially enjoyed time with his family.
He is survived by his wife Vicky Sonnek of Wells; five children: Larry (Lorrie) Sonnek of Red Wing, Cheryl (Gary) Whitcomb of Foley, Bob (Marge) Sonnek of St. Paul, Dennis (Mary) Sonnek of St. Paul, Karen (Gary) Robbins of Wells; 13 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; two stepgrandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; one brother, George (Pat) Sonnek; three sisters: Olive Hefner, Alice Feuerhelm and Elaine (Ralph) Huxford; two sisters-in-law: Marion Sonnek and Bernice Sonnek; along with numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews and their families.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Ralph, Jerome and Joey Sonnek, and one sister: Marion; and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.