Obit: Sonnentag, Margaret R. #2 (1923 - 2013)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Sonnentag, Schmidt, Maier, Grajkowski, Borton, Morello, Meuret

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 3/20/2013

Sonnentag, Margaret Regina (20 December 1923 - 13 March 2013)

Margaret R. Sonnentag, age 89, of Thorp, passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield. Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 16, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. Rev. Don Meuret officiated and burial followed in St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers were: Eli Grajkowski, Ryan Sonnentag, Neil Sonnentag, Jesse Sonnentag, Colleen Sonnentag, and Craig Morello. Visitation was held on Saturday, March 16, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at the church.

Margaret Regina Maier was born on December 20, 1923 in the Town of Thorp to John and Helen (Schmidt) Maier and received her education in St. Bernard Catholic School in Thorp. She moved to Chicago, IL, where she worked at Motorola, before returning to Thorp where she worked for the Blue Moon Cheese Factory. She was united in marriage to Frank Sonnentag on September 8, 1943. After her marriage, Margaret and Frank in lived in Milwaukee for five years. They returned to the Thorp area and farmed for 48 years. Marge loved music and entertained with the Homemaker Hobo Band for over 30 years. She also played for residents of the area, nursing homes and hospitals, and also organized a family band. The band consisted of Marge and Frank, Phil & Rosemary, and nephew Ray, and was known as the “Sonny Daze”. They played at many nursing homes and also played for other occasions. Recently, Marge played with Ruth Tobola as a duo and entertained the residents of Morgan Plaza.

Margaret was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church, its PCCW, and was very active as a singer in the Polish Choir for many years.

She is survived by her six children: Roger (Christine) Sonnentag of Greenwood, Neil (Linda) Sonnentag of Milwaukee, Jean (George) Grajkowski) Sonnentag of Ellsworth, June Sonnentag of Providence RI, Steve (Connie) Sonnentag of Thorp and Richard (Lynn) Sonnentag, also of Thorp; ten grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three brothers: Norman (Mary) Maier of Brookfield, Jack Maier of Milwaukee, and Ken (Peggy) Maier of Green Bay. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frank, on May 3, 1996; three brothers: Leonard Maier, Edmund Maier, and Gerald Maier; and one sister, Mercedes Borton.

Online condolences may be expressed at: www.cuddiefh.com.  Thorp Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.