Janice Sonnenberg

Janice Eileen Sonnenberg was born February 18, 1934, in Ottertail, MN to John and Ruby (McLeod) Hanebuth. She passed away at the Frazee Care Center on April 8, 2022, at the age of 88. Janice graduated from Frazee High School in 1952.

She married Robert (Bob) Sonnenberg on June 5, 1952. They made their home in Detroit Lakes, MN. During this time they owned a mink ranch. They were married for over 67 years, before Bob passed away December 4, 2019.

Janice lived a full life, grounded in her faith. Her greatest joy in life was to be surrounded by family and all who loved her. She served many years as 4-H club leader, horticulture chair, and was very active with the Becker County Fair. Janice also served many roles at the Zion Lutheran Church, on the altar guild, and designing floral arrangements. Janice enjoyed gardening, canning her harvest and she was famously known as “The Dill Lady on Hwy 34.”  A Halloween tradition her and Bob participated in was selling pumpkins and decorating for the local community. Her other loves included baking, picking weeds, growing flowers, and crossword puzzles.

Janice is survived by her children, Keith (Shelly) Sonnenberg, Lyle (Sue) Sonnenberg, Neil (Roxanne) Sonnenberg, Sheri (Chris) Olerud; seven grandchildren, Jeremy Sonnenberg, Dawn Eckert, Tina Moore, Jacob Sonnenberg, Justin Sonnenberg, Derek Sonnenberg, Alexis Sonnenberg and fourteen great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers Butch Hanebuth, Jim (Sandy) Hanebuth, brother-in-law Marlo Sonnenberg and sister-in-law Joyce Sonnenberg, many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Janice is proceeded in death by her husband Robert (Bob), parents, stepmother Hilda (Wiebe) Hanebuth, brother Jackie Hanebuth, sister-law-Martha Riewe, and brother-in-law Ronald Sonnenberg, sister-in-law Mary Hanebuth.

A service of remembrance will be held on Tuesday, April 12th at 5:00 pm with a prayer service at 6:30 pm at the David Donehower Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, April 13th at 1:00pm at Zion Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, MN with visitation one hour prior. Interment will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery at a later date. David Donehower Funeral Home is caring for Janice and her family.

TO SEND FLOWERS FOR THE SERVICE, PLEASE CALL LOCAL FLORIST DIRECTLY: DETROIT LAKES FLORAL (218) 844-5860 or CENTRAL FLORAL (218) 844-3664