Joel E. Sonnenburg

Joel E. Sonnenburg, age 79, of 1111 - 35th St. Two Rivers, died early Wednesday morning, Jan. 25, 2012 at his residence after a courageous battle with cancer.

Joel was born in Manitowoc on April 12, 1932, a son of the late Walter & Eldora (Leider) Sonnenburg, Sr. He attended First German Lutheran Grade School in Manitowoc, and graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1951. At the age of 18, he was drafted into the military and spent the next year and a half in Korea, serving as an Intelligent Sgt. in a medical field artillery unit. After honorable discharge from service, Joel worked as an assembler at Manitowoc Equipment Works for 13 years. He then moved to Two Rivers where he worked as a custodian at St. John's Lutheran School and Church for the next 11 years. He also served three years as treasurer on the church council of St. John's.

Joel was then hired as a custodian with the Two Rivers School System, and became very involved working with kids and the sports programs at Washington High School, mainly with the football & basketball teams headed under Jerry Bonino. He also assisted the "Marching Raiders Band" under the direction of Jim Meverden; and was a member of the group that originally started the Raider Booster Club. Joel retired at the age of 62 but was called back to serve as a noon supervisor at the schools for many years. Joel's home was always open to young people who needed a place to live. Fourteen kids passed thru his home over a span of nineteen years.

Joel also spent 32 years working with the staff at Camp Bird, a Lutheran Youth Camp in Crivitz, Wisc. He was a mentor to six cadets at the National Guard Challenge Academy; and received the Appreciation Award from the Lakeshore All Sports Hall of Fame in 1981 for his work with the youth over the years. Joel was an avid deer & antelope hunter who enjoyed over 30 years of hunting in Hullett, Wyoming with a group of friends; he was a member of the American Legion; served as a Big Brother for five years; and was former manager of Village Green East Apts. in Two Rivers.

Survivors include one brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Joy Sonnenburg, one sister, Karen Rank, all of Two Rivers; one niece, Susan (Kevin) Winnega, and one nephew, David (Ann) Rank; and several great nieces & great nephews. A group of special friends which include: Howie Corbisier, Jay Remiker, Brian Pelnar, Terry Wiensch, Terry Pelnar, Brenda Scherwinski, Steve Pelnar, Shawn Pelnar, Jerry Bonino, John & Randy Kulpa, Chris Strzyzewski; and many other dear friends also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Richard Sonnenburg and Walter Sonnenburg, Jr.; and a brother-in-law, Paul Rank.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 17th & East Park St. Two Rivers. Rev. David Arndt will officiate at the service, with full military honors being accorded immediately after the service at the church by members of the VFW and American Legion Post of Two Rivers. Entombment will be in Knollwood Chapel Mausoleum, Hwy. 310, Manitowoc.

The family will greet relatives and friends at St. John's Lutheran Church Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at noon. There will be no visitation held this evening.

Memorial offerings in Joel's name may be made to St. John's Lutheran School.

Deja & Martin Funeral Chapels, 1506 - 18th St. Two Rivers is assisting the Sonnenburg family with funeral arrangements.

Joel's family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Lauren Wiebe and staff of the Cancer Center at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, and to Aurora VNA Hospice for the excellent care & compassion Joel received.