Athens, Marion Keith "Sonny" 1930-2015

ATHENS, HELMERS, BROUILLETTE

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/26/2017 at 17:45:32

Marion "Sonny" Athens

July 25, 2015

Marion "Sonny" Athens, 84, of Le Mars, Iowa passed away Saturday, July 25, 2015 at Floyd Valley Hospital in Le Mars.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at the Presbyterian United Church of Christ in Le Mars. Reverend Jan Christensen will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars with military honors conducted by the Wasmer American Legion Post 241 of Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will be after 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2015, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m., all at Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Wednesday at the church.

Marion Keith Athens was born November 30, 1930 in Doon, Iowa, the eldest son of Elmer and Bernice (Helmers) Athens. Early on, Sonny lived in Doon until moving to Le Mars. He attended school in Le Mars and graduated from Central High School. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1952. He served his country during the Korean Conflict, stationed in Korea for 18 months. He was honorably discharged in 1954.

Following his discharge, he returned to Le Mars and attended Westmar College. He was united in marriage to Ramonda Brouillette on July 20, 1956 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Le Mars. After their marriage they lived in San Francisco for a few years where Sonny worked for American Airlines. They returned to Le Mars and Sonny and his brother Roger owned Athens'' Standard Service Station. For 6 years Sonny worked for Standard Oil and had a Tank Wagon Service in Le Mars. In 1964 he went to work for Wells'' Dairy. While working for Wells'' he was moved into sales and transferred to Fort Dodge. In 1976 Wells'' transferred him back to Le Mars. He continued with Wells'' Dairy in sales and later in production until retiring on November 30, 1992. Following his retirement, he still continued to do special projects for the dairy.

Ramonda passed away November 24, 2003.

Sonny had a love for horses; he spent 13 years caring for "Dan" and "Duke", two Belgian horses owned by the Wells family. Sonny was a member of St. George''s Episcopal Church in Le Mars for many years and later became a member of the Presbyterian United Church of Christ in Le Mars. He was also a longtime member of the Wasmer American Legion Post 241 of Le Mars and the Rotary Club. Sonny served for over 10 years with the Le Mars Fire and Rescue. Throughout the years, Sonny loved socializing with family and friends, whether it was coffee with friends or a family get together. He also enjoyed gardening, model trains, watching eagles on the Internet, and pheasant hunting. He was a member of Pheasants Forever for several years.

Survivors include his sons: Brian (Katy) Athens of Marietta, GA, Brad Athens of Le Mars, Eric (Julie) Athens of Le Mars, and Mike Athens of Des Moines, IA; his grandchildren: Ian, Lea, Sarah, Ryan, Andru, Abby, Ben, Halle, Cody, Connor, Claudia, and Carter; a brother: Roger (Betty) Athens of Le Mars; a brother in law: Richard (Nina) Brouillette of Kansas City, MO; a sister in law: Rosalie Lade of Sacramento, CA; a special cousin: Bonnie (Jerry) Gassman of Hutchinson, MN; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ramonda; a daughter in law: Cindy Athens; a brother: Larry Athens; and a brother in law: Albert Lade.

Carlsen Funeral Home
Le Mars, Iowa