Paula B. Sonnenburg

Paula Brenda Sonnenburg, age 82, passed away peacefully to be with her Lord after a nearly 27 year struggle with cancer on Tuesday, December 13th, 2022, at Froedtert Memorial Hospital in Menomonee Falls, WI.

She was born March 9, 1940 in La Crosse, WI to Lloyd and Louise (nee Beyer) Luce. She graduated from Martin Luther Academy and Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN and received her degree in Lutheran Elementary School (LES) teaching. She began her LES teaching at the age of 18 at Immanuel Lutheran in Kewaunee WI from 1958 to 1960. She also served at Trinity LES in Manitowoc, WI from 1960 to 1964, St. John’s LES Manitowoc, WI from 1967 to 1968, St. Paul’s LES Howards Grove from 1986-1987, and back to Trinity, Manitowoc from 1989 to 1991. She loved teaching her students over all the years at all the schools and at all grade levels.

On June 25th, 1960, she married Glenn W. Sonnenburg in Onalaska, WI and they moved to the Manitowoc, WI area to begin their life together. During their time there from 1960 to 2015 they built a house together and started and grew a successful pheasant farm business together that they named Wild Wings Pheasant Ranch. Paula was an integral part in its growth over the years from a few hundred birds to over 20,000 pheasants raised per year. She also enjoyed raising and riding her horses Copper, Jamie, and Ace. Her early love for animals also included many cats and dogs, but especially she cherished her English Bulldogs Abigail, Bentley, and Oscar. They brought her many years of joy and pleasure. After retiring from teaching and the pheasant business Paula and Glenn enjoyed living in Surprise, AZ for the winters of 2012-2014. In 2016, they moved to Brown Deer, WI to be closer to their son, Jeff.

Paula’s special interests included raising her son Jeff and sharing her love of music and animals with him. She also enjoyed playing softball and volleyball with her friends especially her dear friend Cindy. Paula continued enjoying and watching her favorite teams the Packers, Badgers, and Brewers and her TV westerns until her passing.

She is survived by her husband Glenn of 62 years, a sister Rachel (Luce) Huebner, her son, Jeff, many nieces and nephews, and her dear friend Dr. Cindy E. Whaley. She is preceded in death by her parents Lloyd and Louise Luce, her sister Lorraine and brother Michael.

The family would also like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Froedtert Cancer Center for their hard work and dedication to her medical needs this past year and a half.

Memorials may be made in Paula’s name to Christ Alone Lutheran Church, St. John’s Lutheran Church Manitowoc, or Manitowoc Lutheran High School in Manitowoc, WI.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, December 28th at 11:00 AM at Christ Alone Lutheran Church, 247 S. Main St., in Thiensville, WI. The family will greet friends at church beforehand starting at 10:00 AM until the time of service. Everyone is invited to stay for a light lunch after the service at noon.

Krause Funeral Home in Brown Deer, WI is assisting the family. 414-354-9400. www.krausefuneralhome.com