Ward Sonsteby

OBITUARY

Ward Carl Sonsteby was born December 17, 1928 to Carl and Olga (Gunnerson) Sonsteby in rural Annandale, MN. As a small child the family moved to the family farm in Hasty, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at Silver Creek Lutheran Church. He attended grade school in Hasty and graduated from Monticello High School in 1946. After high school he was employed on the Great Northern Railroad as a depot agent-telegrapher.

Ward met Carol Nelson and was married on February 1, 1951 in Atwater, MN. To this union four sons were born, Steven, Jeffrey, Mark, and Scott. The family lived in Campbell for several years.

Ward was drafted into the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War and received his training at Camp Pendleton, CA. He spent 13 months in Korea and received the rank of Corporal. Upon returning to the states he returned to his railroad job and spent 19 years with Great Northern.

Ward attended Wahpeton State School of Science in the electronic program. He opened Campbell Radio and TV repair where he fixed and sold radios and TV's for several years. The family moved to Alexandria in 1967 and Ward got his real estate license and opened Century 21 Viking Real Estate Company. The family also owned Geneva Beach Resort and El Reno Resort and campground on Lake Reno. They always enjoyed seeing all the retuning summer visitors to the lake each summer.

Ward was a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 60 years and served as Grand Master in 1989-90 of the Grand Lodge of MN A.F. & A.M. He was past Master of Agate Lodge and Constellation Lodge. He was a member of Palestine Commandary No.14, Knights Templar, Life Member of Alpha Council No.8, and Royal Arch Masons of MN. He was also a past Monarch of Eli Wadi Grotto, Zuhrah Shrine and Osman Shrine Temple and Lyra Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. Ward served as commander of the American Legion Post #87 in 1973 and was a life member of the VFW.

Ward and Carol spent their retirement winter months in South Texas. They first traveled by RV and later bought a home at Alamo Country Club where Ward enjoyed golfing. He even aced a hole-in-one on #5 green while playing in his men's league. Ward and Carol also had a wonderful trip to Iceland and Norway in 2003. Ward loved flying planes and was a member of the Alexandria Flying Club. Ward attended St. John Lutheran Church during the winter months and was a member of First Lutheran Church in Alexandria.

Ward C. Sonsteby died on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Bethany Home in Alexandria at the age of 88 years old. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years Carol; sons, Steven (Medy) Sonsteby of Waseca, MN and Jeffrey Sonsteby of Alexandria; grandsons, Alexander (Margaret) Sonsteby of Minneapolis and Nicholas (Kathryn) Sonsteby of St. Peter; great granddaughter, Mikaela Ann Sonsteby of Minneapolis; brother John (Marianne) Sonsteby of Blackduck, MN; sisters Colleen Worden of Litchfield and Nancy (Howard) Forer of Rice; several nieces and nephews.

Ward was preceded in death by his parents, sons Mark Sonsteby and Scott Sonsteby, and his brother James Sonsteby.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at 11AM at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday April 18, 2017 from 4-7PM with a 7 PM Masonic Service and an Eastern Star service to follow at the Anderson Funeral Home. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church.

Interment will be at Kinkead Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Alexandria American Legion Post # 87, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 936, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter # 235, and the Minnesota National Guard.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church, Masonic Charities, or the Shriner's Hospital.

Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.
www.andersonfuneral.net