Richard Joseph Sonsalla
Thursday, October 17, 1935
Date of Death:
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Age:
82 years old
Visitation
Date: Tuesday July 31, 2018
Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Wednesday August 01, 2018
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Holy Spirit Catholic Church [ view map ]
Funeral Mass
Date: Wednesday August 01, 2018
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Holy Spirit Catholic Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Calvary Cemetery [ view map ]
Thursday, October 17, 1935
Date of Death:
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Age:
82 years old
Thursday, October 17, 1935
Date of Death:
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Age:
82 years old
Richard Joseph Sonsalla
On July 25, 2018, Richard Joseph Sonsalla, 82, of Byron, Minnesota, boarded the train to heaven surrounded by his loving family. He was born at Winona General Hospital on October 17, 1935, to Michael and Merle (Beardsley) Sonsalla. He graduated from Winona Senior High School in 1953 and attended the University of Minnesota. He served with the 25th Infantry Division Army Band in Korea and Hawaii from 1953-1955.
Since the age of 15, Dick played in many area bands, including The Dutchmasters, Blue Denim Boys, Winona City Band, Chatfield Brass Band and the Notochords plus the Sun City Pops in Arizona.
He met his future bride, Shirley Wittenberg, at 16, when he was playing in the band at the Gaymor Ballroom in Altura. She and her sister had just happened to attend the Friday night dance! They were married December 27, 1958, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona.
Dick learned to play the bagpipes from Aggie Wallace while serving in Hawaii and was a charter member of the Mantorville Grenadiers Pipe Band. His piping found him at many parades, weddings and funerals and especially at all the family reunions and birthday parties.
In 1957, Dick was hired by IBM and worked as an Electrical Engineer for 33 1/3 years, retiring in April 1990. He was a member of American Legion Post 92 and the Korean Veterans Club.
He had a love of trains. From putting a penny on the tracks at age 6 to owning a fleet of steam and gas engines, Dick built a hundred-foot tunnel, a 40 foot trestle and laid almost 5000 feet of track. Dick and Shirley melted their wedding rings to make a Golden Spike for the ceremony in 1998 attended by relatives and friends. Family members and friends from a three week-old baby to a 95 year old gentleman enjoyed the train rides. He loved talking about trains, going to train meets, and could name any train group in the U.S.
Dick was a faith-filled person and taught religion classes at Christ the King Catholic Church in Byron. He belonged to the Teams of Our Lady over 30 years. He was a charter member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and gave much of his time on the Building Committee. He logged many hours volunteering at Saint Marys Hospital.
Dick is survived by his favorite teacher (wife), Shirley; three wonderful children, Joseph (Shulan) of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Jayne (Gordon) Ferlitsch of Tigard, Oregon, and Jeffrey (Debbie Boduch) of Apple Valley, Minnesota; six lovely grandchildren, David, Michael, Maxwell, Maria, Giovanna and Simone; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Beverly Hoeppner, Bill Sonsalla, and Renee Larson Wieser.
He was able to spend his final weeks at home due to the loving care provided by the many angels of Seasons Hospice — with special gratitude to nurses Teresa and Lucy.
Memorials will be given to Prostate Cancer Research and Seasons Hospice.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, August 1 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with Rev. Thomas Loomis officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Tuesday, July 31 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home with a Rosary service starting at 6:00 pm. There will also be a visitation one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery. Military Honors provided by American Legion Post #92.
Condolences
The family of Richard Joseph Sonsalla has received the following condolences.
With love and sympathy, our hearts grieve with yours. May you find peace in the many joys you've shared.
I will always remember the time spent with Uncle Dick, Shirley, Joe, Jeff and Jane. The last reunion we had meant the world to me. I love you all and you are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Dick Sonsalla was one of my managers at IBM for several years - I do consider him as the best manager I had there in the 30 years of my career. He always respected my work and always trusted the decisions I made without question. I really liked the working atmosphere that he created.
Even after my retirement, Dick called and invited me, my wife and my son to go for a train ride at his home - WOW! His work on his trains and his land made it a ride to really enjoy and never forget - I can't imagine all the work and intelligence that went into how he ever created such a railroad hobby! One of the neatest things I ever saw. He was truly an ENGINEER in all respects!
Another time I visited him, I personally told him that he was the best manager I had in my career at IBM and his face literally GLOWED with delight to hear it!
Also, my wife (Patricia) knew Shirley as both were teachers in the Rochester Schools.
I shall miss him and I am sad that I will not be able to visit him again because he really became a great and generous friend (as with everyone else who knew him).
I hope to go to heaven and see him again!!
While no words can erase the pain of your loss at this time, we can look forward to the promise at Isaiah 33:24 – “no resident will say, I am sick”. God’s enemy death, will be swallowed up forever (Isaiah 25:8). When these promises are fulfilled, we will enjoy life the way our Grand Creator purposed for us…forever on earth with no sickness. (Psalms 37:11, 29)
Shirley and Family, We are so sorry to read of Richard's death. He was so friendly and fun and I'm sure the best railroad engineer around. You all have so many fun memories of him and that will be great to share. God's peace and love to you all. Frank and Karen Taylor
Dearest Sonsalla Family: know that I am so sorry that I am not with you during this celebration of Dick’s life, though I’m there in spirit. His niceness as a husband, father, brother and friend will always be remembered. I cry with you in our sorrow and rejoice with you in being able to have known him for all of 60 years. He will be so missed by all who have had the privilege to be in his life. Love and hugs, Tootie
Dick and I graduated from Winona Senior High School (Go, Winhawks!) in 1953. We visited at all of our class reunions and we will truly miss him at our upcoming reunion in September. Dick was one of the nicest, friendliest and most talented musicians one could know. We will miss your bagpipe performance this year, Dick! My deepest sympathies to you, Shirley, and all of your family. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you! God bless all of you! Tess Varner
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. May the coming year be filled with blessings.
Remembering times with you and Dick...and seeing his beautiful smile that reached his eyes....such a special guy! Prayers and hugs....
Larry and Ann McAlpin
Our deepest sympathy to you and the family. We remember you as our Christ The King parish family. We missed you when you left.
May God wrap His loving arms around you and comfort you during this difficult time.
Love
Jim and Carolyn
Dad was a man, always so generous, warm, kind, supportive, humorous, joyful, positive...Always remember his music & dancing, his beaming smile and hugs, his appreciation and encouragement, his hard working and handicraft...He was the bright ray of sunshine in our life. The days will be much joyless without him. I miss him! Wish him peace and happiness in heaven!
Dad was a man, always so generous, warm, kind, supportive, humorous, joyful, positive...Always remember his music & dancing, his beaming smile and hugs, his appreciation and encouragement, his hard working and handicraft...He was the bright ray of sunshine in our life. The days will be much joyless without him. I miss him! Wish him peace and happiness in heaven!
Kimberly and myself are sorry to hear of your loss Shirley and family. I will forever remember Dick as a good train freind and the wonderful, kind and patient gentleman that he was when Kimberly and myself bought the train rail from him four years ago. You can be confident that his legacy will live on as my trains will run around on the rails that came from Dick Sonsalla, for many years to come. God bless, shaun and Kim
Shirley, so sorry to hear of Dick's passing. He was a super person. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love, Janet Larson Cerney
Shirley and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Peace and good memories to you. A golfing friend from Soldiers Field
Shirley and family,
Words can not express how I feel.
Sending a big hug to you all
Peace
Georgette
I have such fond memories of Dick when I visited. He was a gracious gentlemen and obviously loved his family. I am praying for you. Penny
The world has lost an extraordinary soul. Our family will never forget hearing the sound of his bagpipes waving over the valley. And of course, the precious gift of music he and Shirley gave Carolyn and Ted at their wedding still brings tears to my eyes. He was truly a witness of Christ's love. Our prayers for comfort and peace for the whole family.
Grandoa is one of the best men in th world. I felt empty somewhere in my heart. Miss you and love you.
David Liu
Dick was a great American he served his country with pride. He is a great attribute to our society and will be mised by all.
Don and Verna
My heart is saddened by the loss of my brother in law Dick. He will be remembered as a very caring , talented and an overall sweet man.
He will be missed!
Prayers and Peace to his family.
Maggie Wittenberg
Sorry to hear of Uncle Dick's passing. He is a very special man that will always be remembered. May you find comfort that he is now with our Lord.
Karla and Dan Trevithick
We are so saddened to hear of Dick's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. The bag pipes will take on a whole new meaning.
Dear Lord:
We pray that you send Jeff, Debbie, and the rest of the Sonsalla family, your grace so they can have the strength and courage to carry on without Richard. Open your arms to Richard and receive him in heaven. Transform our suffering Lord, and help us find your grace in our pain.
Where we see darkness, give us light.
Where we tremble with fear, soothe us with your hope.
Where we ache with sorrow, help us feel the warm embrace of your love.
We are reminded by Richard’s death that our journey on earth is short and not without suffering and pain. Although they sadden and frighten us Lord, these reminders of our fleeting time on earth, help us to focus on what is really essential in life, centering ourselves in your love so that we truly love and serve one another. Let this love and service we do for each other transform the world so that Your will might be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
In Jesus Name We Pray.
Amen
Dad was the best father-in-law that a son could ever hope for. He was kind and generous to me. He loved his daughter (my wife) as much as any father could and was her rock. He loved our children as his own and his memory and legacy will live on through them. I will miss you Dad and please give my love to my father when you see him.
My condolences to Richard's family. Keep in mind the many wonderful memories you have of him so that they can give you the comfort needed
at this difficult time. Prayer to God for comfort will also help you to cope with your loss because he cares for you.
1Peter 5:7
To Richard’s family... we are so sorry and heartbroken to hear of his passing. Though we didn’t know him directly, from knowing Jeff, it’s clear his spirit and sense of others was profound. We’re sending healing and warm thoughts to console and care for you in this time of loss and through your grieving.
Compassionately,
Stephen Fisher & Catherine Creason
May Dick rest in peace. I will always remember his ever-smiling face, the eerily sweet sounds from his bagpipe and the genuine hospitality he and Shirley always offered me. I especially cherish the New Year's eve parties, which broke up about 10 PM after a couple hours of card playing, and the time I visited them in Sun City West.
Blessings and Peace
Fr Don J. Schmitz
Dear Shirley and family,
We are very sorry for your loss. Dick will be remembered as a great man and was an asset to us all.
Our deepest sympathy,
Tom and Connie Fournier
Jeff, and family,
Were so sorry about your dad. It’s so difficult to lose someone close.
Jeff, and family,
Were so sorry about your dad. It’s so difficult to lose someone close.
Shirley, and Children
My heart hurts for you all. Will be in my prayers.
Sending peace and love. Patt