Anton Sonnabend

Anton Arthur Sonnabend was born on March 23, 1927, in South Branch to Herman and Bertha (Trebesch) Sonnabend. He was baptized on May 8, 1927, at St. John's Lutheran Church in South Branch, and on March 13, 1947, he was confirmed in his Christian faith at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in St. James. He enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served during World War II. He served our country for a little over a year. On August 27, 1950, he married Emma Niemeier at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, and they resided in South Branch on his family's farm. He made a living by farming land and also was employed at Scherr-Tumico in St. James. Tony enjoyed playing his guitar and singing old time and country music, playing cards with friends, spending time with his family, and he always had a good joke to tell. Tony was a member of American Legion Post #33 and VFW Post #1914. Tony died on Thursday, December 29, 2005 at his home. Tony is survived by his daughter Cheryl and her husband Steve Lindell of St. James, MN; three grandchildren, Heidi and her husband Mike Steuber of Fairmont, MN, Alicia and her husband Josh Milow of Madelia, MN, and Cassandra and her husband Chad Wiens of St. James, MN; five great grandsons, Collin, Cale, Jaxon, Hunter and Cooper; a brother, Norbert Sonnabend of New Ulm, MN; a sister, Erma Larson of Leed, SD; three sisters-in-law, Charlene Sonnabend of New Ulm, MN, Alice Sonnabend on the East Coast, and Alice Niemeier of Spokane, WA; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Bertha; his wife, Emma; four brothers, Elvin Sonnabend, Harvey Sonnabend, Harold Sonnabend and Dick Sonnabend; two sisters, Jeanette Christenson and Alice Willis; and many other brothers and sisters-in-law.