Edith Mae Sonsteby

Edith Mae Sonsteby of Barnesville, Minnesota passed away peacefully at the age of 96, on July 14, 2025, at Hawley Senior Care Center.

On September 23, 1928, Edith M. Sonsteby was born to parents Frank and Susan (Gregory) Sunder at a farm in rural Jordan, Minnesota. Edith's father Frank passed away when Edith was only 14 years old, leaving her and her siblings Irene, Ruth, Jane, Mary, Ellen and John to help out to provide for the family. She attended grade school at St. John's Catholic School and graduated from Jordan High School with high honors.

 Edith was united in marriage to James Sonsteby on February 28, 1953 in Buffalo, Minnesota. James was enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he was stationed in Germany for a year. During that time Edith was able to join him, and when they returned home, they took up residence in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. Edith worked at Honey Well at that time, as well as raising two daughters, Kathy and Dawn. In 1967 the family moved to Alexandria, Minnesota where Edith and Jim owned and operated a mink ranch. It was hard work, but a great place to raise their two daughters. By the year 2000, Edith and Jim moved to Barnesville, Minnesota. 

Edith was very devoted to her husband and her family. She was caring, kind and generous. She never forgot a birthday and was always there if any one needed help. One of her greatest passions was watching sports on T.V., especially the Minnesota Twins. 

Edith is survived by her two daughters: Kathleen Sonsteby, Barnesville, MN, and Dawn (Rick) Anderson, Kalispell, MT; four grandchildren: Shamus (Beth) Busch, Lindsey (Kevin) Mieras, Riley (Dawn) Brelje and Briana Johnson; three greatgrandchildren: Collen and Violet Mieras, and Addison Brelje; one sister Ellen Hentges; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents: Frank and Susan Sunder; her husband James Sonsteby; and her siblings: John Sunder, Mary Kerkow, Ruth Marxen, Jane Nelson and Irene Bearson.

Edith will be laid to rest at the Fort Ripley Military Cemetery in Little Falls, Minnesota alongside her husband James Gene Sonsteby.