Esther L Sonnichsen

Esther Lina Wilhelmina Wessel Sonnichsen was a mother who was all about Love and Service. She was born on November 3, 1917 at Moorehead, Iowa, the second of nine children to Henry and Frieda (Rademacher) Wessel. She passed way April 5,2014 at Manilla Manor, in Manilla, Iowa at the age of 96.
She was baptized March 31, 1918 at St. John Lutheran Church in Charter Oak and confirmed her faith on April 5, 1936. She loved helping her parents with the younger brothers and sisters. There were always chores to do and after graduating from the 8th grade she began helping others outside the home with homemaking chores. She met the love of her life, Edward Sonnichsen at a barn dance and enjoyed years of dancing. A favorite band and friend, Floyd Warren and the Radio Ramblers performed at their 50th wedding anniversary. Their favorite song was “May I have this Dance for the Rest of my Life?” They married November 17, 1939.
The couple welcomed 3 children into their home. Dennis (Diane) Sonnichsen, Karen (Burdette –aka Bob) Fletcher and Donavon (Donna) Sonnichsen. They were blessed with 8 grand children, 14 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grand child, which she loved dearly.
Esther also loved singing, gardening, patching overalls, doing chores on the farm and camping at Little Spirit Lake in Minnesota. After moving to town, she was employed at the Community Caf, Auld’s Green House and Eventide. Esther loved serving others, helping the Ladies Aid serving many meals at Zion Lutheran Church where the family were members. After Edward passed away (11/3/07), she managed alone in her home 3 years, keeping her lawn free of sticks and leaves and giving flowers to all the neighborhood children. Manilla Manor has been her recent home, where she enjoyed the family atmosphere and the staff that took such very good care of her. She was always happy with the life she was given and we are thankful we had her in our lives. As we remember her, may we follow her example: “What would Jesus have us do?” in every situation.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Frieda, husband Edward, brothers Delmar & wife Gladys, Lloyd and wife Lorraine, and sisters Florence & husband Henry, Lila and husband Donald, Lois, and Dorothy, brother-in law – Walter and wife Deloris, sister-in-law Edna and husband Charles, brother-in laws Oluf , and Vahn. She is survived by her sisters, Helen, and Leva and her children, listed above and grandchildren, Penny, Sally (Terry), Kandy (Michael), Clayton (Dawn), Matt (Carol), Tonya (Chris), Ryan (Kelly) and Chelsy, great and great-great granchild, many nieces, nephews and friends.