IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Lorraine
Sonntag
September 22, 1925 – January 10, 2025
Obituary
Lorraine Sonntag
Celebration of Life September 22, 1925 – January 10, 2025
Lorraine Sonntag, age 99, of West Bend, Wisconsin, died on Friday, January 10, 2025, at her daughter's home in Yankton, South Dakota.
A Memorial Service for Lorraine will be held on January 24, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Wisconsin Memorial Park 13235 West Capitol Drive in Brookfield.
Lorraine Grace Mundt was born on September 22, 1925 in Birnamwood, Wisconsin, to Otto and Sophia (Geske) Mundt, the fourth of five children. Lorraine was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.
Lorraine attended a one-room schoolhouse in Birnamwood, Wisconsin through eighth grade and graduated from Birnamwood High School at the age of sixteen. She continued her education studying bookkeeping and stenography at Wausau Vocational School.
Lorraine's first job was at the Phillips Liquor Company in Wausau, Wisconsin, where she worked a short time before moving to Milwaukee and taking a position with Northern Engineering, a war plant that closed when WWII ended. Lorraine was also employed by Jaeger Bakery, and Robert R. Elsner Insurance Company.
On June 5, 1948 Lorraine married George Emil Sonntag, who she met in Milwaukee at an Eagles Club dance. They were married for 66 years, until George's death in 2015. Lorraine and George enjoyed gardening, dancing, sightseeing and playing cards, especially Sheepshead and Bridge.
Lorraine was a lifelong learner. She enrolled in many classes at Milwaukee Vocational School, acquiring impressive sewing, knitting, embroidery, and cooking skills. As a full-time homemaker, Lorraine sewed beautifully tailored coats and suits, as well as clothing for her children, and draperies for her home. Lorraine was occupied, in the summers, by canning tomatoes and green beans from her garden, as well as peaches and pears by the crateful. After Lorraine's children were grown, she took swimming and piano lessons. Lorraine was well known for sharing her delicious homemade cookies.
Before the advent of the computer, with the use of her IBM Selectric typewriter, Lorraine started a home-based business, LS Typing. Lorraine kept up with technology all her life, owning one of the first personal computers, electronic tablets and smartphones.
Lorraine joyously celebrated her 100th Christmas surrounded by family, in Yankton, South Dakota, where she had recently moved to from West Bend, Wisconsin, and where she was receiving hospice care from Avera@Home.
Ode to Lorraine
By your example you will teach us
Self reliance, independence,
Perseverance, diligence.
Optimism, gratitude,
In all people to see good.
To be resourceful, up-to-date,
To get work done, not procrastinate.
To hearten people by what you do.
Life is short.
Lorraine is survived by her children, Dr. Robert Sonntag Long Lake, MN, Carol (Jay) Williams Yankton, SD, Barbara Severance Jackson, WI, sister Gertrude Rugland Altadena, CA, six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
Lorraine is preceded in death by her parents, husband George, son Ronald, brothers Rueben and Emery, sister Leona Hetzel, grandson Geoffrey Severance, granddaughter Anna Severance, daughter-in-law Kay Sonntag and sister-in-law Arlene Liss.
Celebration of Life September 22, 1925 – January 10, 2025
Lorraine Sonntag, age 99, of West Bend, Wisconsin, died on Friday, January 10, 2025, at her daughter's home in Yankton, South Dakota.
A Memorial Service for Lorraine will be held on January 24, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Wisconsin Memorial Park 13235 West Capitol Drive in Brookfield.
Lorraine Grace Mundt was born on September 22, 1925 in Birnamwood, Wisconsin, to Otto and Sophia (Geske) Mundt, the fourth of five children. Lorraine was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.
Lorraine attended a one-room schoolhouse in Birnamwood, Wisconsin through eighth grade and graduated from Birnamwood High School at the age of sixteen. She continued her education studying bookkeeping and stenography at Wausau Vocational School.
Lorraine's first job was at the Phillips Liquor Company in Wausau, Wisconsin, where she worked a short time before moving to Milwaukee and taking a position with Northern Engineering, a war plant that closed when WWII ended. Lorraine was also employed by Jaeger Bakery, and Robert R. Elsner Insurance Company.
On June 5, 1948 Lorraine married George Emil Sonntag, who she met in Milwaukee at an Eagles Club dance. They were married for 66 years, until George's death in 2015. Lorraine and George enjoyed gardening, dancing, sightseeing and playing cards, especially Sheepshead and Bridge.
Lorraine was a lifelong learner. She enrolled in many classes at Milwaukee Vocational School, acquiring impressive sewing, knitting, embroidery, and cooking skills. As a full-time homemaker, Lorraine sewed beautifully tailored coats and suits, as well as clothing for her children, and draperies for her home. Lorraine was occupied, in the summers, by canning tomatoes and green beans from her garden, as well as peaches and pears by the crateful. After Lorraine's children were grown, she took swimming and piano lessons. Lorraine was well known for sharing her delicious homemade cookies.
Before the advent of the computer, with the use of her IBM Selectric typewriter, Lorraine started a home-based business, LS Typing. Lorraine kept up with technology all her life, owning one of the first personal computers, electronic tablets and smartphones.
Lorraine joyously celebrated her 100th Christmas surrounded by family, in Yankton, South Dakota, where she had recently moved to from West Bend, Wisconsin, and where she was receiving hospice care from Avera@Home.
Ode to Lorraine
By your example you will teach us
Self reliance, independence,
Perseverance, diligence.
Optimism, gratitude,
In all people to see good.
To be resourceful, up-to-date,
To get work done, not procrastinate.
To hearten people by what you do.
Life is short.
Lorraine is survived by her children, Dr. Robert Sonntag Long Lake, MN, Carol (Jay) Williams Yankton, SD, Barbara Severance Jackson, WI, sister Gertrude Rugland Altadena, CA, six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
Lorraine is preceded in death by her parents, husband George, son Ronald, brothers Rueben and Emery, sister Leona Hetzel, grandson Geoffrey Severance, granddaughter Anna Severance, daughter-in-law Kay Sonntag and sister-in-law Arlene Liss.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lorraine Sonntag, please visit our flower store.
Services
Funeral Service
January
24
Wisconsin Memorial Park
Starts at 1:00 pm
Garden of Eternal Life
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