Elma Clara Sonstegard

Elma Clara "Terri" (Tollefsrud) Sonstegard was born on February 17, 1924, at Branton Hospital, in Willmar, Minnesota.  She has a twin sister, Ella Mae.

She was baptized at West Norway Lake Church and later confirmed on May 1, 1938 at the West Norway Lake Church, Sunburg, Minnesota.

Terri attended grade school at Sunburg, MN and high school at Kerkhoven High School.  While there she was chosen Queen’s attendant and reigned over Homecoming activities.  She graduated in 1942.  After graduation she traveled around the country and while in Chicago took on the nickname Terri which stayed with her for life. She ventured out west to work at the Puget Sound Navy Yard at Bremerton, WA. She also worked in Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and Minneapolis.

She was married September 26, 1948 to Bernard Clifford Sonstegard at West Norway Lake Church, Sunburg, MN.  To this union they were blessed with four children: Gregg, Nancy, Scott, Shelli-Kae.  They moved to Alexandria after their marriage and were members of First Lutheran Church in Alexandria since 1948 where she was very involved.

Terry and Buzz loved to travel and visited Mexico, Cuba, Banff, Lake Louise, Washington D. C, and spent winters in Scottsdale.  A highlight of her travels was their trip to Norway.

Terri died on Sunday, May 16, 2021, surrounded by her family.   She is survived by her four children: Gregg (Mary) Sonstegard, Nancy (Stephen) Rolfsrud, Scott (Angie) Sonstegard, Shelli-Kae (Sean) Foster; 11 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard “Buzz”: parents: Gilbert & Mina; brother, Glenmore: twin sister, Ella Mae Halverson.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2021, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria with a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m.  Burial will be at Kinkead Cemetery.  The service will be live streamed for those unable to attend.