Edward August Sonksen

Born January 21st, 1933

Died July 17th, 2024

“I came into this world with nothing and I will leave this world with nothing, except my faith in God”

Edward August Sonksen was born on a farm in Walters, Mn to German immigrants in January, 1933. The family immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1932 and of the six children, Ed was the first to be born in the United States.

Ed enlisted in the US Army at the age of 16 and shortly thereafter found himself in Korea. This experience at an early age shaped the remainder of Ed’s life. There are many stories of him and his unit saving Korean orphaned children who had nowhere to go due to the horrors of that war. This experience overseas initially hardened him initially, but in later years tendered his heart.

All thanks to our Lord Jesus, Ed survived that war and came back to Minnesota in 1953 and began school at Dunwoody institute in Minneapolis where he learned the carpentry trade. He became a very skilled carpenter and built many homes in the area including both of his own homes. Ed was a lifelong member of the carpenters union.

In the early 1960s, Edward would meet a woman who would change his life forever. Margaret, or Peggy as most people know her, would soon become his wife and the mother of his children. Edward married Margeret (Gilbert) in April, 1963 and they had two children, Mitchell and Anne. Ed and Peggy raised their children in a Christian home and have been members of Grace Lutheran church for over 60 years.

After retiring, Ed would enjoy entertaining his grandchildren, Preston, Autumn (Anne) and Sam (Mitch) and his great-grandchild, Juliette (Preston). Ed’s true joy in life was spending time with his family, seeing his grandchildren grow up, deer hunting, and spending time at his cabin in South Shore, South Dakota.

Edward is preceded in death by his mother, Elsie Sonksen, father, August Sonksen, brother, Carl Sonksen (Mary) and sisters, Kate Babbitt (Don), MaryAnn DePoppe (Don)

Edward is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Margaret Sonksen, children, Mitchell Sonksen (Angie), Anne Fleischhaker (Mike), sisters, Pauline Olson (Maynard), Shirley Tukua (Ray), grandchildren, Preston Huddleston (Emma), Autumn Huddleston, Sam Sonksen, great grandchild, Juliette Huddleston, and many nieces and nephews. Ed was respected and loved and will be missed by many.

A visitation for Edward will be held Wednesday, August 21, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church, 1730 Old Hudson Road, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55106. A memorial service will occur following visitation, at 11:00 AM. A burial with military honors will occur Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at 2:30 PM at Old Cottage Grove Cemetery, 10999 70th St. S., Cottage Grove, MN.