Wonewoc-Harold (Bud) Sonnenberg, age 76, of rural Wonewoc, past away on Saturday, September
11, 2004 at U W Hospital, Madison. Bud was born to Herman & Mattie (Searls) Sonnenberg in the
Township of Summit, Juneau County, Mauston, Wisconsin on July 20, 1928. He went to the Fox
School where he graduated from 8th grade. He purchased the home farm from his parents on July
19, 1949. He was united in marriage to Glenadean Franke at the United Methodist Church,
Mauston, on July 26, 1949. Bud was a milk hauler for Wisconsin Dairies when milk was still hauled
in cans. He worked for Hepp and Walsh building homes in Mauston. Later he built pole sheds for
Ritland Buildings, and worked for Walsh Constructions at the Dells. He then became a self
employed carpenter.
Bud had many fishing stories and even more deer, coon, fox, and coyote hunting stories to share
with friends and family over his lifetime that he greatly enjoyed. Bud also enjoyed taking his daily
tour of the farm on his four- wheeler, checking on new wildlife, and where he also planted 5100 oak
and pine trees this past spring.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Glenadean, at home, a daughter, Anita Sonnenberg of Sun
Prairie, two sons, Ronald of Mauston, and Rodney (Marcia) of Reedsburg. Six grandchildren, Kevin
(Lynn) Jasper of Muscoda, Kristina (Doug) Steiner of Boscobel, Brian (Jessie) Sonnenberg of
Mauston, Trina Sonnenberg of LaCrosse, Lacey Sonnenberg of Cedarburg, and Amy Sonnenberg
of LaCrosse, five Great Grandchildren, Christopher, Mariah, and Hunter Steiner of Boscobel, and
Lucas and Jamie (Elrod) Jasper of Muscoda, a sister-in-law, Ruth Sonnenberg of Ft. Atkinson and
many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Willis, Vernon,
Raymond, and sisters, Vera Walters, Alice Kannenberg, and Rhea Demaske.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Thompson Funeral Home, Wonewoc,
also on Wednesday from 10 a. m. Until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist
Church, Wonewoc. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery, Mauston. In lieu of flowers
memorials can be made to the United Methodist Church, or a memorial to the family for a special row
of Oak Trees for the family to watch grow on the family farm where Bud grew and worked with this
precious wood with his hands all his life.
the Oak Tree
A mighty wind blew night and day.
It stole the oak tree’s leaves away, then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark Until the oak was
tired and stark.
But still the oak tree held its ground while other trees fell all around.
the weary wind gave up and spoke,
“How can you still be standing, Oak?”
the oak tree said, “I know that you can break each branch of mine in two, Carry every leaf away,
shake my limbs, and make me sway. But I have roots stretched in the earth, growing stronger since
my birth. You’ll never touch them, for you see, they are the deepest part of me. Until today, I wasn’t
sure of just how much I could endure.
But now I’ve found, with thanks to you, I’m stronger than I ever knew.”
I know you can get through this . . . You’re good, and you’re strong, and you have a lot of people
around you who care . . . people like me.
11, 2004 at U W Hospital, Madison. Bud was born to Herman & Mattie (Searls) Sonnenberg in the
Township of Summit, Juneau County, Mauston, Wisconsin on July 20, 1928. He went to the Fox
School where he graduated from 8th grade. He purchased the home farm from his parents on July
19, 1949. He was united in marriage to Glenadean Franke at the United Methodist Church,
Mauston, on July 26, 1949. Bud was a milk hauler for Wisconsin Dairies when milk was still hauled
in cans. He worked for Hepp and Walsh building homes in Mauston. Later he built pole sheds for
Ritland Buildings, and worked for Walsh Constructions at the Dells. He then became a self
employed carpenter.
Bud had many fishing stories and even more deer, coon, fox, and coyote hunting stories to share
with friends and family over his lifetime that he greatly enjoyed. Bud also enjoyed taking his daily
tour of the farm on his four- wheeler, checking on new wildlife, and where he also planted 5100 oak
and pine trees this past spring.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Glenadean, at home, a daughter, Anita Sonnenberg of Sun
Prairie, two sons, Ronald of Mauston, and Rodney (Marcia) of Reedsburg. Six grandchildren, Kevin
(Lynn) Jasper of Muscoda, Kristina (Doug) Steiner of Boscobel, Brian (Jessie) Sonnenberg of
Mauston, Trina Sonnenberg of LaCrosse, Lacey Sonnenberg of Cedarburg, and Amy Sonnenberg
of LaCrosse, five Great Grandchildren, Christopher, Mariah, and Hunter Steiner of Boscobel, and
Lucas and Jamie (Elrod) Jasper of Muscoda, a sister-in-law, Ruth Sonnenberg of Ft. Atkinson and
many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Willis, Vernon,
Raymond, and sisters, Vera Walters, Alice Kannenberg, and Rhea Demaske.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Thompson Funeral Home, Wonewoc,
also on Wednesday from 10 a. m. Until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist
Church, Wonewoc. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery, Mauston. In lieu of flowers
memorials can be made to the United Methodist Church, or a memorial to the family for a special row
of Oak Trees for the family to watch grow on the family farm where Bud grew and worked with this
precious wood with his hands all his life.
the Oak Tree
A mighty wind blew night and day.
It stole the oak tree’s leaves away, then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark Until the oak was
tired and stark.
But still the oak tree held its ground while other trees fell all around.
the weary wind gave up and spoke,
“How can you still be standing, Oak?”
the oak tree said, “I know that you can break each branch of mine in two, Carry every leaf away,
shake my limbs, and make me sway. But I have roots stretched in the earth, growing stronger since
my birth. You’ll never touch them, for you see, they are the deepest part of me. Until today, I wasn’t
sure of just how much I could endure.
But now I’ve found, with thanks to you, I’m stronger than I ever knew.”
I know you can get through this . . . You’re good, and you’re strong, and you have a lot of people
around you who care . . . people like me.
So Long For Now
by Kristina Steiner
You look so peaceful lying there
With Your hands folded upon Your chest.
You look like you Are sleeping
But you Are at eternal rest.
So Long For Now.
Not a hair out of place,
A beautiful smile upon Your lips -
For now you Are with God.
When someone special passes on
It does not mean They Are gone,
Though They Are no longer with us
Their memory still lives on.
It hurts so much to lose a Loved One -
Especially one that is trustworthy And kind.
Grandpa Bud, you were that special friend,
A rare And special find.
Grandpa Bud , you will always be with me
In spirit And In mind.
You will always have a special place In my heart
Forever Until the end of Time.
Grandpa Bud, I will not say "Good-bye".
This is not the end.
So I will Just say, "So long..."
Until We meet again.
You Meant So Much
by Kristina Steiner
You meant so much to all of us
You were special And that's no lie
You brightened up the darkest day
And the cloudiest sky
Your smile alone warmed hearts
Your laugh was like music to hear
I would give absolutely anything
To have you well And standing near
Not a second passes
When you're not on our minds
Your love We will never forget
the hurt will ease In Time
Many tears I have seen And cried
They have all poured out like rain
I know that you Are happy now
And no longer In any pain.
Today is the day of Your funeral,
A day of mourning.
I cried at Your funeral And felt a lot of pain.
Agony is taking over.
I pray to God that We will meet again.
I try to live a normal life but all I can think of is Your death.
Your death was a shock, but We all were expecting a call one day, saying you had died.
We got that call three days ago.
When I answered the phone, I could feel something was wrong.
It was Mama.
I have never heard her cry like This before.
I Want You To Know
by Kristina J. Steiner
Dedicated To My Grandpa Bud
A brief moment of darkness was all that I knew,
before Heaven's Gate came into my view.
Loved ones And friends
I had missed for many years,
welcomed me with Open arms
And many happy tears.
All the hurt, fear And pain
that I have ever known,
is gone from my life,
I am finally home.
I gazed upon the Lord's
sweet smiling face,
And for the first Time In my life
I knew And felt His grace.
I know that you miss me,
but Please dry Your eyes.
I will always be watching And loving you
from my home In the sky.
A cool breeze on Your face,
a touch of light rain,
I will send as a reminder
that will be reunited again.
Life on earth is but one
brief moment In Time,
I am finally home,
Eternity is mine.
Bud (Grandfather)
by Kristina J. Steiner
Clouds Are forming In the sky;
I feel like I could lie down And cry.
I miss all the things We used to do,
But knowing that I can't
Makes me realize
How much I loved you.
Family reunions won't be the same;
I miss you so much.
Only Time could stop This pain.
I hope you had a wonderful life,
In spite of all those useless fights;
And when it rains I'll think only of you.
There would Just be one thing I would do;
I'll get a picture of you And sit on my bed,
And my thoughts would only be of you -
Because In my opinion you Are not dead.
All the family misses you,
And I do too.
I can't wait for that one day
When I would be reunited with You.
Thank You
by Kristina J. Steiner
by Kristina Steiner
You look so peaceful lying there
With Your hands folded upon Your chest.
You look like you Are sleeping
But you Are at eternal rest.
So Long For Now.
Not a hair out of place,
A beautiful smile upon Your lips -
For now you Are with God.
When someone special passes on
It does not mean They Are gone,
Though They Are no longer with us
Their memory still lives on.
It hurts so much to lose a Loved One -
Especially one that is trustworthy And kind.
Grandpa Bud, you were that special friend,
A rare And special find.
Grandpa Bud , you will always be with me
In spirit And In mind.
You will always have a special place In my heart
Forever Until the end of Time.
Grandpa Bud, I will not say "Good-bye".
This is not the end.
So I will Just say, "So long..."
Until We meet again.
You Meant So Much
by Kristina Steiner
You meant so much to all of us
You were special And that's no lie
You brightened up the darkest day
And the cloudiest sky
Your smile alone warmed hearts
Your laugh was like music to hear
I would give absolutely anything
To have you well And standing near
Not a second passes
When you're not on our minds
Your love We will never forget
the hurt will ease In Time
Many tears I have seen And cried
They have all poured out like rain
I know that you Are happy now
And no longer In any pain.
Today is the day of Your funeral,
A day of mourning.
I cried at Your funeral And felt a lot of pain.
Agony is taking over.
I pray to God that We will meet again.
I try to live a normal life but all I can think of is Your death.
Your death was a shock, but We all were expecting a call one day, saying you had died.
We got that call three days ago.
When I answered the phone, I could feel something was wrong.
It was Mama.
I have never heard her cry like This before.
I Want You To Know
by Kristina J. Steiner
Dedicated To My Grandpa Bud
A brief moment of darkness was all that I knew,
before Heaven's Gate came into my view.
Loved ones And friends
I had missed for many years,
welcomed me with Open arms
And many happy tears.
All the hurt, fear And pain
that I have ever known,
is gone from my life,
I am finally home.
I gazed upon the Lord's
sweet smiling face,
And for the first Time In my life
I knew And felt His grace.
I know that you miss me,
but Please dry Your eyes.
I will always be watching And loving you
from my home In the sky.
A cool breeze on Your face,
a touch of light rain,
I will send as a reminder
that will be reunited again.
Life on earth is but one
brief moment In Time,
I am finally home,
Eternity is mine.
Bud (Grandfather)
by Kristina J. Steiner
Clouds Are forming In the sky;
I feel like I could lie down And cry.
I miss all the things We used to do,
But knowing that I can't
Makes me realize
How much I loved you.
Family reunions won't be the same;
I miss you so much.
Only Time could stop This pain.
I hope you had a wonderful life,
In spite of all those useless fights;
And when it rains I'll think only of you.
There would Just be one thing I would do;
I'll get a picture of you And sit on my bed,
And my thoughts would only be of you -
Because In my opinion you Are not dead.
All the family misses you,
And I do too.
I can't wait for that one day
When I would be reunited with You.
Thank You
by Kristina J. Steiner
Dedicated
to my
Grandpa
Bud
to my
Grandpa
Bud
I'm already there
Take a look around
I'm the sunshine In Your hair
I'm the shadow on the ground
I'm the whisper In the wind
I'm Your imaginary friend
And I know I'm In Your prayers
Oh I'm already there.
Lone Star
Take a look around
I'm the sunshine In Your hair
I'm the shadow on the ground
I'm the whisper In the wind
I'm Your imaginary friend
And I know I'm In Your prayers
Oh I'm already there.
Lone Star
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