Caroline Emma Sonnenburg, age 89, of Manitowoc, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, December 26, 2024 with family by her side.
Caroline was born on March 22, 1935 to the late Arno John Schuette and Edna Caroline (Koeser) Schuette in Newton. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1953 and began working in the office at Mirro. In 1956, while attending a Polka Dance at the Silver Lake Dance Hall, Caroline met Larry Sonnenburg. On July 12, 1958 they were united in marriage at Salem Ebenezer Reformed Church. In 1959, Caroline and Larry started a family and she stayed home to raise their four children. After all children were in school, Caroline worked at Ken’s Bakery and then as a bank teller at Associated Bank. For 25 years she was also the Town of Manitowoc Treasurer along with working at 1st Lutheran Church as their financial secretary.
During her life, Caroline was an active member of the Auxiliary Rural Carrier Board as a treasurer and liked traveling with Larry to the State and National Conventions. They made a lot of friends all over the US and loved bringing their grandchildren along to the State Conventions. She was also a member of the Salem Ebenezer Ladies Aid and loved to sing in the church choir. At home, Caroline enjoyed playing the piano and singing along. In addition, Caroline was an avid sewer and made her children clothes and then baby quilts for her great grandchildren. She also kept herself busy making and selling many different crafts with her mother, sister Virgina, and daughter Kay. She took pride in gardening and taking care of the flowers in her yard as well. Most of all, Caroline was passionate about her family and loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren so much. She will be greatly missed by all.
Survivors include her children, Kevin and Kay Sonnenburg, Kay and Cliff Konik, Kurt and Sharry Sonnenburg, and Kristy and Bob Krueger; grandchildren, Crystal Konik and Al Fleisner, Melissa and Jerad Grupe, Brittany and Ben Bockelman, Bradley and Whitney Sonnenburg, Emily Sonnenburg, Jeremy and Karley Sonnenburg, Marie and Jon 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; sisters and brothers, Virginia Temme and Richard Young, Donald and Myra Schuette, Janice Church and Bill Wigton and Dennis and Sandy Schuette, brother-in-law Glen Sonnenburg; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death recently by her husband Larry Sonnenburg; her parents, Arno and Edna Schuette, her father and mother-in-law, Marvin and Lorena Sonnenburg; step-mother, Arlene Sonnenburg, brothers-in-law, Gregg Church, and Gene Temme and sister-in-law, Paula Sonnenburg.
Family and friends may attend the Visitation at 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 3, 2025 at Salem Ebenezer Reformed Church, 6524 County Road C, Manitowoc. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Rev. James Grossmann, concluding with the burial at the church cemetery and a celebration of Caroline’s life.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Jay’s Legacy – Linda, Sydney, and Adaline; and Hospice – Shayna and Katie.
Memorial donations will be given to the Wisconsin Parkinson Association of Manitowoc 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.
Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair Street, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
