SONNE, Edith Louise (Smith, Korinke) 1923-2014

SONNE, SMITH, SULLIVAN, KORINKE

Posted By: K.L. Kittleson
Date: 7/17/2014 at 14:12:45

July 9, 1923 - February 22, 2014

Obituary for Edith Sonne--

Edith L. Sonne, 90, of Nashua, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at the Liebe Care Center in Greene, Iowa.

In keeping with her wishes, a memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 12, 2014, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Nashua with inurnment in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Nashua. Friends may greet the family an hour prior to the service at the church.

Edith Louise was born July 9, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois, daughter of Harold and Frances (Sullivan) Smith. She was third in line of six children. Edith attended various country schools, graduating from the Charles City High School in 1941. She worked at Crabtree’s Restaurant and Opal’s Variety Store upon completion of high school.

On November 10, 1942 Edith was united in marriage with James Levine Korinke at St. Mary’s Catholic Chuch in Greene, Father Joseph Murphy officiating. In 1943, their daughter, Sandra, was born and shortly thereafter Jim was deployed to the European Theater with his 11th B armored Replacement Battalion. During his two year absence, Edith and her sister-in-law, Ann, set up housekeeping together. Ann and Edith would remain lifelong friends … more like sisters then sisters-in-law.

1945 brought World War II to an end and Jim returned home to his wife and daughter and they purchased a home in Nashua. Jim went to work for Frank Noel of Greene and Edith filled the capacity of telephone answering service and stay-at-home mom. Over the next 23 years, they would add four sons to their family. There was always a huge vegetable garden; which meant lots of canning, freezing and good eating. There was always a dog in the family plus even a few strange pets; such as white mice, chickens, even a couple of pigs..not all at the same time of course, Edith had some rules! From 1963 through 1966, three granddaughters were added to the clan and life was good.

Jim passed away in 1968 and Edith was a widow at the age of 45 with one young son to raise. Edith accepted a position in the Nashua School lunch program and began taking dietary classes.

In 1974, Edith accepted a position in the kitchen at the Chautauqua Guest Home and worked her way up to Dietary Supervisor until she retired in 1988. Edith planned meals for the residents of Chautauqua just as she did for her own family. Real turkeys were roasted for Thanksgiving and Christmas cookies were made from scratch and hand decorated. She brought many smiles to the faces of staff and residents alike with her delicious food.

In 1985 a widower by the names of Edward Sonne came into Edith’s life. Edith and Edward were married on March 1, 1986 and on that date Edward became an instant grandfather while Edith gained two daughters and a son. In 1990, their first great-grandchild was born and six more would follow over the next fifteen years. Edith taught Edward to dance and enjoy Blue Grass while he helped her appreciate Chuck Wagon races and his beautiful horses. Edith and Edward would dance their way through 27 gold years together bringing smiles to everyone’s faces. Edward passed away in September of 2009.

Edith was a member of Ladies Auxiliary, R.E.S.T. Club, Moose Club, St. John’s and St. Michael’s parishes. She enjoyed working word and jigsaw puzzles, playing cards and dominos, sewing, dancing, embroidering and singing (she could even yodel!). At the age of 89, Edith decided to embroider complete sets of dish towels for her three children, two granddaughters and seven great-grandchildren.

One of Edith’s loves was cooking, canning and jelly-making. There were family feuds over ownership of her grape jelly and her turkey and dressing took center stage on the Thanksgiving table. There was always room at her table for one more and no one went away hungry.

Edith was an extraordinary lady … her honesty and integrity were out-shined only by her love of family and laughter. She was strong willed and persevered in the toughest of times. Though she was short in stature, her arms were long enough to encompass us all. Her family was everything to her, as she was to them. She will be forever missed.

Survivors include two sons, James (Karen) Korinke of Overland Park, Kansas, David Korinke of Nashua; one daughter, Sandra (James) Lawrenz of Rockford, Iowa; one step-daughter, Nancy Scherer of Floyd, Iowa; one step-daughter-in-law, Kathy Sonne of Charles City, Iowa; two granddaughters, Kelly (Lee) Whipple, Kristin Lawrenz, all of Waseca, Minnesota; seven great-grandchildren, David Whipple, Katie Whipple, Patrick Whipple and Taylor Lawrenz all of Waseca, Minnesota, Matthew Wyborny, Sadie Wyborny, and Adam Wyborny all of Rudd, Iowa; one brother, Virgil (Agnes) Smith of Alexandria, Virginia.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, James Korinke in 1968 and Edward Sonne in 2009; two sons, William and Patrick Korinke; one granddaughter, Kerri Wyborny; four sisters, Frances Benker, Velma Mansfield, Betty Hull and Sylvia Ehlebrecht; step-son, Alan Sonne; step-father, Glover Jones.

Source: Hugeback Funeral Home website