Gunther W. Sondland

Gunther W. SONDLAND Passed away December 28, 2004 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born on September 25, 1915 in Lippink, West Prussia. His family moved to Berlin where he received his schooling before being forced to flee the Nazi regime in 1939. In 1938, he married his beloved Frieda, hoping to be able to leave Germany with her and their families. Circumstances prevented them from leaving together, and he was separated from his wife and daughter for eight years. They were reunited in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1947. During the intervening years of WWII, Gunther served in the French Foreign Legion and in the British Army in North Africa and Burma. In 1953, they immigrated to Seattle where they were finally reunited with the rest of Gunther's surviving family who had spent the war years in Shanghai. Gunther and Frieda operated a dry cleaning business in West Seattle for almost 30 years where they had many loyal customers and friends. Gunther will be remembered by all who knew him for his wonderful sense of humor and his indomitable spirit which sustained him through the many trials of his life. Gunther was an active participant at the Stroum Jewish Community Center and a member of Temple De Hirsch Sinai. He is survived by Frieda, his wife of 67 years; daughter, Lucy Pruzan (Herb); son, Gordon Sondland (Katy Durant); grandchildren Max and Lucy Sondland, Adam, Alan (Juliet) and Aaron (Tamsen) Pruzan and great-grandson, Eli Pruzan. Remembrances are suggested to the Stroum Jewish Community Center Seniors Program, Kline Galland Home, Temple De Hirsch Sinai, or the American Red Cross. Services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, December 30, at Butterworth-Arthur A. Wright Chapel, 520 W. Raye St.