Dean Sonnenburg, age 81, of Brookings, died Monday, September 22, 2008 at Brookview Manor in Brookings. Memorial services will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday, September 27, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.
Dean Sonnenburg was born May 1, 1927, on the family homestead in Deuel County, South Dakota, the son of Albert and Freda (Koppmann) Sonnenburg. He attended rural school at Hidewood District #47. On June 22, 1953, he married Gloria Hanson of Volga, South Dakota. They continued to live on and operate their dairy farm on the homestead until health forced them to move to Brookings in April of 2001. He was a member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Estelline, South Dakota and served on the school board of District #47.
Dean is survived by his wife Gloria of Brookings, one son, Rodney (Linda) of Crooks, South Dakota; granddaughter, Carie and great-grandson, Jayden of Crooks; grandson, Jeremy and great-granddaughter, Andi Marie of Spencer, Iowa; one brother, Melvin (Myrtle) of Clear Lake, South Dakota; and two sisters: Berniece Wiersma of Clear Lake, South Dakota, and Elaine Ganter of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Dean donated his remains to the USD School of Medicine.