SONNENBERG, Anna 1883-1947

SONNENBERG, POPPEN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 3/19/2017 at 17:46:15

Mrs. B. Sonnenberg Dies Suddenly Friday Night

Mrs. Ben Sonnenberg died very suddenly at her home in Holland about eleven o'clock Friday night from heart failure with which she had been afflicted for a number of years. She was up and about during the day and attended a meeting of the Ladies' Aid Society of her church during the afternoon. She spent the evening at home with her family and she apparently was feeling as well as she had been for some time when she retired for the night. The heart attack came on suddenly and she passed away without uttering a sound other than a gasp which awakened her husband.

News of Mrs. Sonnenberg's sudden death was received the next morning with deepest regret. She had been a resident of this community most of her life and during that time she had gained the friendship and esteem of all who knew her. While she took an active interest in church work, her real interest was in her home, surrounded by her family.

Funeral Services Tuesday
Funeral services were held at the home at 12:30 and later at the Christian Reformed church in Holland. Rev. Paul Holtrop returned here from his new post in Indiana to officiate at the service. He was assisted by Rev. J. E. Drake from Cedar Falls, also Mrs. Sonnenberg's former pastor. Burial was in the Christian Reformed cemetery in Holland.

Born in Colfax Township
Mrs. Sonnenberg was born in Colfax township and resided in Grundy county all of her life. She was 65 years old on the 18th of last April. Her maiden name was Anna Poppen. She attended the school near the farm home in this township. In February 1904 she was married to Ben Sonnenberg. The couple started housekeeping on a farm 2 1/2 miles southwest of Stout. In 1912 Mr. Sonnenberg bought a general store and he and his family moved to Holland and they have been living here ever since. They resided in the apartment over the store until they retired from the store and moved into another home of their own in Holland.

Surviving are the husband; two sons, C. B. at Holland and George from Titonka; one daughter, Mrs. Dick Luhrs, who with her family have been living with her father and mother. There are seven grandchildren. Other surviving relatives are two brothers, Rev. Otto Poppen from Belmond and Adam Poppen from Holland. The two sisters are Mrs. Will Kessler, Holland, and Mrs. Joe Arends, of Stout.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 4 December 1947, pg 16

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Obituary Mrs. Ben Sonnenberg

Funeral December 2, 1947

(Obituary prepared by the pastor and read at the church service):
Mrs. Ben Sonnenberg, nee Antje Poppen, was born April 18, 1883, and departed this life Nov. 28, 1947, having attained to the age of 64 years, 7 months and 10 days. Last Friday the Lord Who says to one Come and he cometh, and to another go and he goeth, suddenly took her from this earth through the swift stroke of a heart stoppage that snuffed out her last breath shortly after she had retired for the night.

The departed was born in Colfax township, Grundy county, and at the age of 20 was united in marriage to Ben Sonnenberg. Together they farmed just a few miles north of Holland, until 1912, when they moved to Holland and operated a general merchandise store until 1931, following which time they have continued to reside in Holland.

Left to mourn the loss of this Christian mother in Israel are the husband; two sons, Chris of Holland and George of Titonka, along with their families; one daughter, Mrs. Anna Luhrs, with her husband and children, who together resided with her parents; two brothers, Adam Poppen of Holl and Rev. Otto Poppen of Belmond; two sisters, Mrs. Wm. Kessler, north of Holland, and Mrs. John Arends; seven grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

Five years ago Mrs. Sonnenberg submitted to a major operation, following which time she has been afflicted with a chronic heart disorder. Especially during the past month she showed signs of the wearing effect of this upon her health, even to the point where she, not ordinarily given to self-attention, felt it imperative that she consult a doctor for special care, even though she had been under doctor's care, more or less, during these past years. But before this could be done the Great Physician and sympathizing Savior gave her relief by taking her home.

Because this sister took a leading part in home and church, was very sympathetic to those in need, ever eager to help and cooperate in Kingdom enterprises, she will be missed greatly. Until three years ago she was a member of the Colfax Presbyterian, and since that time of the Christian Reformed church of Holland, to which church she had repaired for a meeting of the Ladies' Aid Society the very afternoon before she breathed her last.

We cannot omit the God-given thought, therefore, that "blessed are the dead that die in the Lord; for their works do follow after them." Nor can we the reminder of this experience and of God's Word.

The flower is withered by the Wind
That smites with blighting breath;
So man is quickly swept away
Before the blast of death.

Those who His gracious covenant keep
The Lord will ever bless;
Their children's children shall rejoice
To see His righteousness.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 4 December 1947, pg 3