Doris Linda Sonnenberg

the Second World War.

As the Russian Front advanced, her family escaped to the West on a horse-drawn wagon trek in the dead of winter. In 1950 they immigrated to Canada where Doris spent the majority of her childhood and youth in Edmonton. Here, they attended church where she heard and responded to Christ’s call at age 19, repenting of her sins and receiving Christ’s forgiveness. She was a graduate of the Medical Technology program at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Doris married Hardy in 1964 and moved with him to Palo Alto, California where he was immersed in PhD studies. She worked in cholesterol

research at Stanford University where she earned a PhT degree – “Putting Hubby Through,” as it was lovingly called – by funding Hardy’s schooling.

In 1975 they settled in Freelton, Ontario, where they would make their home for more than 50 years. She was active as a church and choir organist in both San Jose and Hamilton, at times traveling with a mass choir to conventions in Canada and eastern USA. Throughout her life she was a dedicated and self-sacrificing wife, mother, and grandmother. Beyond that, she became surrogate mother, grandmother, confidant, and mentor to numerous people whose paths she crossed. Before her passing, some expressed a desire to her, to live and serve as she did.

Twenty-nine years ago, Doris was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer. Eleven years later it progressed to Stage 4 and she was given only a twenty percent chance of surviving another 5 years. Yet by God’s grace she lived virtually unencumbered for an additional 18 years. On the 12th of June, Doris departed to

her eternal home to be with her Saviour evermore.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude for the compassionate medical teams at the Juravinski Cancer Centre, the Princess Margaret Hospital, and St. Joseph’s Hospital and Home Care for the exceptional care they provided.

Her husband of 62 years, Hardy Sonnenberg, her children Kevin (Lorita) and Denise (Carsten), and grandchildren Emma, Alina, Noah, Jeremy, and Jeffrey, her brother Karl (Yvette), her sister Greta (Garth), nephews and nieces, and many more relatives and friends, mourn her passing.

Visitation will be held at the Marlatt Funeral Home “Swackhamer Chapel”, 195 King Street West, Dundas, ON Friday, June 19th from 6:00 – 8:00pm. The funeral service will take place at the Church of God, Hamilton, 265 Bowman Street, Hamilton ON Saturday June 20th, 2026 at 9:30am.  Interment to follow at Grove Cemetery, Dundas.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Juravinski Cancer

Centre (https://hamiltonhealth.ca/) or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.