Bernard Frederick Sonksen 1890-1975

SONKSEN BOOCK JOHNSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 11/2/2009 at 23:50:54

Mapleton Press
18 September 1975

Bernard Frederick Sonksen, son of Ferdinand and Johsnns (Boock) Sonksen, was born February 7, 1890 near Denison, Iowa and died Friday, September 12, 1975 at his home in Mapleton. He had reached the age of 85 years and seven months.

Mr. Sonksen came with his parents to the Mapleton area when a small child. On June 3, 1919 he married Luella Johnson at Onawa and he and his wife farmed near Mapleton until 1944 when he retired from farming and moved to the town of Mapleton.

After moving to Mapleton, Mr. Sonksen was employed as a service station manager, later was employed at the Mapleton Municipal Light Plant and for the last several years was employed as a painter.

"Barney" was a World War I veteran and had served as a Cooper Township clerk and school board director. He was a member of the United Church of Christ of Mapleton and a 50-year member of the Loren Holister Post 496 of Mapleton. He loved music and had played the violin in several bands and groups in the area.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and one brother.

Survivors include his wife, Luella of Mapleton; three daughters, Mrs. Walter (Irene) Baker of Phoenix, Arizonia, Mrs. Clifford (Evelyn) Gilman of Tucson, Arizonia and Mrs David (Marjorie) Hansen of Canton, Illinois, one son, Lawrence Sonksen of Scottsbluff, Arizonia; one brother, Richard Sonksen of Mapleton; two sisters, Mrs. Reginia Johnson and Mrs. Minnie Johnk, both of Mapleton; eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Tuesday,September 16, 1975 at 10:30 a.m. at St Peters United Church of Christ in Mapleton Rev. Homer Perry officiated and burial was in Mt. Hope Cemetery at Mapleton.

Pallbearers were; A.H. Bruning, Walter Babl, John Uhl, Wilbur McNear, Russell McVicker and Herbert Hahn, Jr.

Graveside military rites were performed by the American Legion Loren Hollister Post 496 of Mapleton.