Richard H. Sonnenberg

 Born: January 22, 1931

Left this life to be with Jesus: August 17, 2024

Richard H. Sonnenberg was born in Bertha, Minnesota, to Fred and Martha Sonnenberg. He grew up in Valley City, North Dakota. After graduating in 1952 from the WELS college of ministry, Dr. Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minnesota, he lived in Appleton, Wisconsin, for 61 years. He moved to Vista, California in 2012.

Richard spent 43 years teaching in Lutheran elementary schools in Wisconsin. He taught in St. Peter Lutheran School in the town of Freedom for four years and St. Paul Lutheran School in Appleton for 39 years.

He loved teaching and also coaching basketball. He also enjoyed repairing and using electronic equipment. He received the amateur radio operator call W9UVZ in 1953 and enjoyed the hobby even after moving to California.

Another of Richard’s hobbies was golf, which his wife Marilyn taught him to play. It became one of his favorite pastimes. He was secretary of the Lutheran Golf League in the Appleton area for 13 years. After moving to California, he was also secretary of a small senior golf league.

Richard enjoyed music. He loved to sing hymns and old-time songs, accompanying himself on his guitar. One of his favorite hymns was “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Richard loved being around people, making friends and visiting with them.

In 2011, Richard was preceded in death by Marilyn, his wife of 56 years. Also preceding him in death were his daughter, Julie, his mother and father, his sisters Edith, Leora, Alice, and Erna, his brothers Lester and Alvin, and three brothers-in-law, Tom Bishop, Northrup Dawson, and Arnold Rogen.

Surviving Richard is his oldest son John and daughter-in-law Lisa, and three grandchildren: Jord Reinhardt, Chris Tower, and Sam Sonnenberg, his daughter Karen and daughter-in-law Penni Rood, and his youngest son Tim.

A devout Christian, Richard treasured his baptism and the fact that he was brought up in the Christian faith. He wants to give special thanks to his Appleton friends who did so much for him, and also to the people of Beautiful Saviour Lutheran Church in Carlsbad, California.

Visitation for Richard will be held Wednesday, September 18th, 2024 at St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church (N2740 French Road, Appleton, WI 54913) from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am.