Obituary of Verna A. Sonnenburg

Verna A. Sonnenburg, 92, Zimmerman, MN, passed away Jan. 29, 2020 at the Elim Rehabilitation Home in Princeton, MN.

Verna was born in Duluth, MN on July 13, 1927, to Elmer and Alice (Aleckson) Enberg, Duluth, MN. Verna grew up in Duluth’s West End and in Marquette, MI. She graduated from Denfield High School in 1945. She married Edward Sonnenburg, Duluth, MN, in March 1947.

Ed and Verna moved around the country, following Ed’s career. They lived in St. Augustine, FL, Duluth, MN, Esko, MN, Kenai, AK, and Brooklyn Park, MN. They enjoyed fishing at their cabin on Sand Lake, in Alaska’s Kenai River and from the Naples City Pier in Naples, FL. They also golfed and skied.

Verna enjoyed gardening, oil and watercolor painting, and holiday baking.

She worked as a bookkeeper for the Duluth YMCA and as a claims processor for Aetna Life and Casualty Insurance before retiring in 1989.

She is survived by her four children: David (Beverly) Sonnenburg, Zimmerman, MN; Leslie (Marvin) Rish, Saginaw, MN; Judy Birnstihl, Cloquet, MN; and Jay (Cindy) Sonnenburg, Anoka, MN. Grandchildren Eric, Anders, Keith, Jacob, and Daniel Sonnenburg; Roger and Daniel Pelawa; Toni Johnson, Adam Birnstihl and Amber Felger.

Great Grandchildren Ethan, Nolan, Alex, Kaden, Ryan, and Jacob Pelawa; Alex Johnson; Luke, Isaac, Arthur, August, Hunter, and Benji Sonnenburg; Mike, Alianah, and Jeremiah Felger.

Sisters Marlene Dow, Hundley, IL, and Janice Hofstrand, Duluth, MN, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Preceded in death by Husband Edward Sonnenburg, Parents Elmer and Alice Enberg, Brother Warren, infant siblings Neil and Naomi, beloved Son-in-Law Chuck Birnstihl, and Great Grandaughter Dachande Murdoch.

The family wishes to offer our deepest thanks and gratitude to the staff of the Elim Rehabilitation Home, Princeton, MN, and the Guardian Angels Hospice team who have provided such tender, caring support to Verna during her stay there.

Gathering of family and friends from 9:00 a.m. until the 10:00 a.m. memorial service Wednesday, February 5th in the Cremation Society of Minnesota Chapel, 4100 Grand Ave., Duluth.