Sonksen, Dora Thomsen (1864-1942)

SONKSEN, THOMSEN, HUBNER, WITT

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:02

Stratford Courier
July 16, 1942

Obituary
Mrs. Dora Sonksen

Mrs. Dora Sonksen died in her home southeast of Stratford on July 8, 1942, after being ill for two and a half years as the result of a stroke of paralysis. She had reached the age of 77 years, 6 months, 29 days.

Dora Sonksen, daughter of Jurgen and Metta Thomsen, was born in Schlieswig-Holstein, Germany, where she spent the early years of her childhood. While yet in her native country, she was baptized in the Lutheran church. At the age of 11 years she came to America with her parents and they settled in Clinton county, Iowa. Two years later she moved to Hamilton county, where she lived the remainder of her life.

On Sept. 12, 1883, she was united in holy wedlock to Paul Sonksen in St. Paul's church near Mackey. To this union six children were born, three of whom have preceded her in death. Two sons died in infancy, while a third, Frederick, was killed in action in France during World War I. After 56 years of marriage her husband preceded her in death on Jan. 29, 1939. A brother, Peter Thomsen, died in 1933.

She leaves to mourn her death, three children, Julius and John, of Stratford, and Mrs. Ed Hubner of Pipestone, Minn., also two grandchildren, Weldon and Paul Sonksen, one sister, Catherine Witt of Lamberton, Minn., other relatives and a large host of friends.

For many years she was a faithful member of the local camp of Royal Neighbors of America and of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Mrs. Sonksen was a fine Christian woman who had always worked hard to make a pleasant home for her husband and children. She always had a sunny disposition and never spoke a cross word to anyone. Hers was a kind and generous character, always eager to help those less fortunate than herself. Many will mourn the death of a true and kind friend and the children will long remember the love of a fine mother.

Whose love can equal the love of a mother;
Whose the devotion so loyal and true!
Who suffers so much with joy for another,
Who works with such pleasure as mother for you!

You hail with delight the friendship of others,
Yet, where do you find a friendship like Mother's,
Unbroken till death calls,
And life's work is done.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon in Calvary Methodist church with an earlier service in the home. The services were in charge of the Rev. Paul R. Johnson, of Pomeroy, and the Rev. J.S. Hutchings, of Stratford. The sermon was presented by the Rev. Mr. Johnson. Mrs. Gust Berglund and Miss Marie Berglund were the singers at the family service held in the home, Music was furnished at the church service by a quartette composed of Mrs. Gust Berglund, Miss Minnie Williams, Sam Swedlund and A.T. Johnson.

Following the services the remains were laid to rest in the South Marion cemetery. The casket bearers were Albert Brandt, Rudy Hubner, Gust Berglund, Harry Carlson, Otto Heins, John Knuth, Maurice Lundquist and Marshall Silvey.

Relatives from out of town who were here Sunday to attend the funeral of Mrs. Dora Sonksen were Mr. and Mrs. Ed Hubner, of Pipestone, Minn.; Mrs. C.E. Witt and son, Walter, of Lamberton, Minn.; C.O. Witt, of Albert Lea, Minn., Mrs. Katie Thomsen, Mr. and Mrs. John Thomsen and daughter, Jane all of Springfield, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Magnus Tadsen, Miss Melinda Oldsen, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Jensen and daughter, Mrs. Wesley Thomas, all of Wall Lake; Mr. and Mrs. P.C. Hollander, Miss Anna Hollander, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Stegeman, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Peterson and two sons, all of Schlieswig; Mrs. Mollie Christensen, of Denison; C.A. Oldsen, of Ames; Mr. and Mrs. August Siemsen, of Slater; Mr. and Mrs. George Siemsen and two children, Margaret and Ellis, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Tietjen all of Stanhope; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Siemsen, Miss Marie Peterson, of Boone.

Others from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. Hans Knuth, of Hanska, Minn.; Pete Hubner and A.H. Mitchell, of Pipestone, Minn.; F.J. Lund, of Wesbster City; Mr. and Mrs. George Eckstein, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Dimsch, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Mindeman, V. Lander, all of Boone; Mrs. Bertha Deuhring of Ogden.

Card of Thanks

We wish to extend our sincere thanks to all our neighbors and friends who assisted us during the illness and death of our beloved mother, Mrs. Dora Sonksen. Also we wish to thank those who gave the beautiful flowers, the singers, the pallbearers, the Royal Neighbors of American and the American Legion Auxiliary. The Sonksen children.