Dick Sonnemaker Sr. 1857-1918

SONNEMAKER, HILLMAN, LUBKEMANN

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/26/2016 at 08:37:56

31 May 1918 - The Lowden News

Our whole community was shocked to hear of the sudden death of one of our fellow citizens, Dick Sonnemaker, Sr., which occurred shortly before noon on Monday, caused by apoplexy of the heart. To all appearances enjoying his usual good health he had been out in the yard splitting wood and entered the house to rest for a few moments. Barely had he occupied a chair when the call came to him for a rest that shall be broken only by the sounding of the last trumpet. His wife, hearing the noise occasioned by his fall and rushing in to see what was wrong, to her horror found him already lifeless, though consistently clung to the hope that it was only a swoon until neighbors and the doctor, hastily summoned, made her realize the sad truth, that without a moments warning she had become a widow.

Dietrich F. W. C. Sonnemaker was born March 10, 1857, at Estorf, Kreis Nienburg, Hannover, and came to America in August, 1881. He was married at Lowden to Charlotte Hillman, also of Germany. They made their home at first here at Clarence and later on a farm north of town. In 1915 they left the scene of a strenuous but also successful activity to spend the remainder of their days in comfort and leisure here in our burg. Eight children were born to them, Fred, Carl, Dick Jr., William, Minna, Hilda, Emma. One daughter, Carolina, preceded her father to the grave.

Mr. Sonnemaker, who attained the age of 61 years, 2 months and 17 days, enjoyed the esteem and friendship of all who knew him. He was a charter member of St. John's church, whose interest he served to the best of his ability with his advice and financially. As a husband and father, a citizen and Christian he will hold in our memories a splendid record. His family, his friends, his church deeply feel his loss and sorely miss him, the bitter thought of parting being mitigated only by the certainty that he has gone to his well earned reward.

Besides those already mentioned he leaves to mourn his loss seven grandchildren, a sister Mrs. L. Lubkemann of Clarence, also a brother and a sister in Germany.

Funeral services were conducted on Wednesday afternoon from the family home and from St. John's church. Rev. Fauth officiating. Interment took place at St. John's cemetery.