Betty Jean Sonnek, age 84, of Waldorf, MN, died Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at her home, accompanied by her loving husband and children. A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, February 12, 2018, at 11 a.m. at All Saints Catholic Church in New Richland, MN, with Fr. Michael Cronin officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be held at a later date at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Minnesota Lake, MN. Betty and her husband Charles planted hundreds of trees throughout the years, and ask that you honor Betty by continuing the tradition. In lieu of flowers, Betty would prefer that you plant a tree or other plants or flowers outside this spring in her memory. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is assisting the family. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.brussheitner.com
Betty Jean was born January 23, 1934 in Vivian Township, Waseca County, MN, the daughter of Herbert and Elsie (Schnoor) Bartelt. Betty met Charles when they were the only two 1st graders together in the country school, and remained classmates. She was united in marriage to Charles Dominic Sonnek November 25, 1953 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Minnesota Lake. Betty had an interest in genealogy and family history, and enjoyed sewing. She loved camping, walking in the woods, gardening and mowing, and being outdoors in God’s creation.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Robert Bartelt and Beverly Hesse; children: Ruth Ann Buswell, Jonathan and Andrew Sonnek; and brother-in-law, William Boyer.
She is survived by her husband, Charles of Waldorf; children: Charles “Rick” (Kandy) Sonnek of LaCrescent, MN, Tim (Barb) Sonnek of New Prague, MN, Beth (John) Thompson of Rochester, MN, Amy (David) Adams of Minneiska, MN, Steve (Vonnie) Sonnek of St. Clair, MN, Chris (Karen) Sonnek of New Richland, MN, Kellen (Liwanag) Sonnek of Cass Lake, MN, Perry Sonnek of Woodville, WI, Joy Sonnek of Waldorf, MN, Sara Lee Sonnek of Waldorf, MN, Peter (Lori) Sonnek of Minnesota Lake, MN, Anthony (Brenda) Sonnek of Mapleton, MN, Matthew (Rose) Sonnek of Duluth, MN; son-in-law, Trevor Buswell of Houston, MN; 29 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren; siblings: Ramona Boyer of Albert Lea, MN, Marlene (Martin) Mogensen of Florida, Duane (Lavonne) Bartelt of Arizona; brother-in-law, Harvey Hesse of St. Clair, MN, and sister-in-law, Alyce Bartelt of Iowa.