Sondag, Richard Michael (1928 - 2010)

SONDAG, HEESE, KELLEY, COREY, HELLER, HAMMES

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 9/7/2013 at 19:07:49

Name of deceased: Richard Michael Sondag

Aged: 82 yrs, 9 mo, 23 days

Residence: Portsmouth, IA

Born: Jan. 14, 1928, on the family farm east of Portsmouth, IA

Died: Nov. 6, 2010, at Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, NE

Funeral services: Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010; St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima in Portsmouth, IA; Rev. John Dorton officiated. Burial, with Military Rites conducted by the John Ohlinger American Legion Post No. 547, was at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Portsmouth, IA.

Survived by: Wife of 58 years, Leona (nee Heese) Sondag; children, Ken Sondag (spouse, Kathy) of Cary, NC, Dave Sondag (spouse, Val) of West Des Moines, IA, Carol (spouse, Brian) Kelley of Eagle Grove, IA; Ed Sondag (spouse, Linda) of Omaha, NE and Patty (spouse, Bob) Corey of Omaha, NE; grandchildren, Paul Kelley, Rachel Sondag, Laura Sondag, Patrick Kelley, Amy Corey, Michael Sondag, Ryan Corey, Daniel Sondag, Melissa Sondag and Tyler Sondag; sister, Barbara (spouse, Richard) Heller of Portsmouth, IA; sister-in-law, Joan Sondag of Harlan, IA; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Joseph and Mary (nee Hammes) Sondag; siblings, Marie, Francis, Ted, Msgr. Joseph and Suzette

Education: attended St. Mary’s School, Panama, IA, graduating with the Class of 1945

Religious affiliation: baptized and confirmed at St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Portsmouth, IA. As a member of St. Mary’s Church, Rich was always active in most of its functions, picnics, fund-raising events and held various offices in the church and the community.

Military service: in the U.S. Army; While in Korea, Rich served on the front line with the 27th regiment, 25th division Wolfhound, receiving the Combat Infantry Badge and a Korean Medal with Bronze Battle Star and the United Nations Medal, while achieving the rank of Corporal. Received his honorable discharge on October 22, 1952 in Indiana.

Marriage: Leona Heese; May 20, 1952; St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling, IA; marriage ceremony conducted by Richard’s brother, Msgr. Joseph Sondag

Employment: After finishing school, Rich helped his dad on the family farm. After Richard’s discharge from the army, Rich and Leona returned to Shelby County, IA where they farmed and later purchased the Sondag family farm where he was born. Farming with John Deere equipment was a must for Rich. He was proud of his very clean bean and corn fields, hogs, cattle, garden of melons, sweet corn and potatoes.

Hobbies/Interests: member and past Commander of the John Ohlinger American Legion Post No. 547 and Msgr. Joseph Sondag Council No. 12193 Knights of Columbus, both of Portsmouth, IA. Free time, especially in the winter, found Rich reading the daily newspaper, farm magazines (especially The Green Machine) and anything about history or politics. He loved to tease and play little practical jokes on his family and friends; at one time, he placed a small white flag in one of his bean fields. When asked what the flag was for he would reply, "Just to make you ask questions."

Sources: ancestry.com, pauleyjones.com