Timothy Mark Sonnenberg

1973 - 2018

Born May 20, 1973, Timothy was the youngest of seven children in the Kotzebue household of bush teachers Darrel and Sharon Sonnenberg. From the beginning, when his six older siblings eagerly looked through the hospital glass, as their father presented them with their new baby brother, Timmy was much loved and spoiled by all.
Moving to Noorvik just months later, Sharon began teaching and Timmy was cared for by residents Robert and Nana Patterson. As he grew he learned Inupiaq. His first word was "alappaa" (cold), exclaimed loudly after he fell head first into a large container of icy water. When he was a few years old someone asked him if he was Eskimo or white? His very serious answer was, "I'm white on the outside and Eskimo on the inside."
Timmy attended kindergarten the first year the family arrived in Tok in autumn 1978. There, he formed lifelong friendships, played hockey and basketball and competed in motocross. By the age of 12 he had his own business doing odd jobs, using a four-wheeler for his transportation. It was at this time he also developed a love for building and working with his hands. He graduated 1991 from Tok High School.
Finishing college began a new chapter in Tim's life when he decided to start his own construction company. As time progressed, Tim met and realized his dream of having a family when he chose Shannon Lunceford and young daughter Kylie to share his life. The addition of "Little Man" Tanner completed his dream. He continued to enjoy life to the fullest, hunting, fishing, working, flying and just spending time with loved ones. It was during his latest adventure with longtime friend Jason, that his father called him home.
He is preceded in death by his infant brother, Samuel; father, Darrel; nephew, Traven; and brother, Pavila. He is survived by his loving wife Shannon; daughter, Kylie; son, Tanner; mother, Sharon and her husband, Myron; sisters, Twila Foster and family, Robin Sandoval and family, Dawn Cooper and family, Melodee Sonnenberg and family; brother, Paul and family; Pavila's daughter Talia; Shannon's parents, Sandra and Don Lunceford, brothers Jerry Bishop and family, and Eugene Lunceford and family.
"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep." 1 Thes. 4:13,14
The memorial service will be 3-7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30 at Birch Hill Recreation Area, 101 Wilderness Drive, Fairbanks.