Larry Peter Sonnenburg, age 89, of Manitowoc, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday night, November 7, 2024, at his home.
Larry was born on August 27, 1935, in the Town of Newton, to the late Marvin William Sonnenburg and Lorena Lola (Nauth) Sonnenburg. He graduated from Valders High School with the class of 1953 and served in the U.S. Army from February 14, 1955, to February 13, 1957, as a Pipeline Specialist stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. After his military service, Larry joined the railway mail service in St. Paul, Minnesota, on October 22, 1957. On June 28, 1958, he was appointed as a Postal Sub Clerk under the mobile unit in Milwaukee. That same year, Larry married Caroline Schuette on July 12. On June 7, 1964, he became a regular postal clerk with the Chicago RPO and later served with the Cal-Man-She RPO Mobile Unit. On November 27, 1964, Larry transitioned to Route 4 Postal Rural Carrier in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and retired from the U.S. Postal Service on March 31, 2001, after 45 years of dedicated service.
Throughout his life, Larry remained passionate about the U.S. Postal Service, serving as an elected delegate at numerous state and national rural letter conventions and as a member of the State Board of Rural Carriers. A devoted member of Salem Ebenezer Reformed Church in Newton, Wisconsin, he served on the church Consistory. Larry’s love for family was evident in his support for his children’s sporting meets, fishing trips, and helping with construction activities. When his kids and grandkids were around, he loved to make train whistle sounds. In his retirement, Larry found joy in traveling, particularly through bus tours – especially the Mystery Tours. Above all, Larry very much loved his children, grandchildren, and now, great-grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Survivors include Larry’s wife Caroline; children, Kevin and Kay Sonnenburg, Larry’s children, Kevin and Kay Sonnenburg, Kay and Cliff Konik, Kurt and Sharry Sonnenburg, and Kristy and Bob Krueger; grandchildren, Crystal Konik (Al Fleisner), Melissa and Jerad Grupe, Brittany and Ben Bockelman, Bradley and Whitney Sonnenburg, Emily Sonnenburg, Jeremy and Karley Sonnenburg, Jon and Marie Fossell, Sadie Sonnenburg, Pedro Sonnenburg, Benjamin and Alyssa Sonnenburg, Shawna and Larry Warren, Sarah Krueger, Sharon Krueger, step-granddaughter, Giselle Conde; great-grandchildren, Ayden Fleisner, Alaina Fleisner, Karsten Grupe, Marshal Grupe, Joslynn Grupe, Harper Bockelman, Everly Bockelman, Evelyn Sonnenburg, Ernest Sonnenburg, Carter Sonnenburg, Ezra Fossell, Amaris Ayala, and Jackson Warren; brother, Glen Sonnenburg; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Donald and Myra Schuette, Virginia Temme (Richard Young), Dennis and Sandy Schuette, and Janice Church (Bill Wigton); also other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Lorena Sonnenburg; sister-in-law, Paula Sonnenburg; and brothers-in-law, Gregg Church and Gene Temme.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at Salem Ebenezer Reformed Church, 6524 County Road C, Manitowoc. Officiating will be Rev. James Grossmann. Relatives and friends may call at Salem Ebenezer Reformed Church on Thursday from 11 a.m. until the time of services at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Salem Ebenezer Reformed Church Cemetery with military honors accorded by the American Legion Drews Bleser Post #88.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Jay’s Legacy—Linda, Sydney, Melinda, and Adaline.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Railroad Museum at 2285 S Broadway, Ashwaubenon, WI 54304, or Salem Ebenezer Reformed Church, 6524 County Road C, Manitowoc, WI 54220.
To respect those with sensitivity issues, the family requests visitors refrain from wearing perfume at the gathering.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
