Susan "Sue" Sonnenberg

Sue Sonnenberg, 66 of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, passed away on October 4th, 2026.  She was born June 15th, 1960, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, to Ken and Ellen Pearson.  In 1965, her family moved to Detroit Lakes, which became her lifelong home and the community she loved.  Sue graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1978.

On June 23rd, 1979, Sue married the love of her life, Lyle Sonnenberg, at First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes.  Together, they made their home in Detroit Lakes and built a life centered around family and community.  They were married 47 years.

Sue worked at several retail stores throughout her career, including spending 20 years at Price's Jewelry.  Sue obtained her LPN degree in 2005 and worked at Emmanuel Nursing Home.  In 2006, she began working as a paraprofessional in the Detroit Lakes School system.  She especially enjoyed working with the students and being part of the school and community.  During the summers, she also worked at Lakeshirts.

She and Lyle welcomed their son, Jake, on May 10th, 1983.  She and Lyle followed Jake around the state, rarely missing an opportunity to cheer him on as he played sports.

Sue and Lyle also treasured their time with their grandsons, Sam and Ben.  Sue "Nanna" enjoyed teaching her grandsons about nature and art.

Travel was another joy shared with Lyle.  Among their adventures was scuba diving and feeding fish underwater.

Sue had a love of volunteering.  She had enjoyed working with children from a young age and later found a similar joy in working with students at school.  One of her favorite places to volunteer was Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, where she served as a volunteer environmental educator with Friends of Tamarac.  Her enthusiasm for nature and her willingness to share it with others earning her several SMILE awards.  She was honored with a Master Gardener Award.  Her commitment to her community extended to Scouting America and the Izaak Walton League of America.  She helped support an Eagle Scout project that became the most rewarding things she had ever done.  She especially valued giving young people the opportunity to take ownership, learn, work with others, and make a difference.

Sue will be remembered for her love of family, her generous spirit, and her commitment to making a difference in her community.  More than anything, she hoped her life would make a difference.

Sue was proceeded in death by her husband Lyle, and her parents, grandparents Erv and Edythe and nephew Brandon Bartsch.  Sue is survived by her son, Jake; grandsons, Sam and Ben Sonnenberg; sisters Kathy Pearson of Fargo and Bonnie Pearson of Bemidji; brothers Mike Pearson of Barnesville and Jeff Pearson of Fargo; brothers-in law Neil (Roxanne) Sonnenberg of Detroit Lakes; sisters-in-law Sheri (Chris) Olerud of Moorhead and Shelly Sonnenberg of Detroit Lakes; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Price family and staff at Price's Jewelry for their love and support.  A special thank you to Hearts in Action for their compassionate and special care of Sue and her family.