Sonja Neumann

Sonja Eva Skalicky was born on July 12, 1946 in Korbach, Germany to Rudolf and Berta (Vogel) Skalicky.  In 1947 the family moved to Eieisden, Belgium.  In 1957 Sonja and her family sailed to the United States on the S.S. America, after weathering an Atlantic typhoon.  The Skalicky family settled first in Bellville, Iowa.  On May 23, 1962, Sonja became a United States citizen.  She graduated from Maquoketa High School in Maquoketa, Iowa, before entering the healthcare profession.  Throughout her working years, Sonja was employed in nursing homes and a hospital, where she enjoyed taking care of the needs of her patients.

In July of 1963, Sonja married Gary Sunderlin.  From this union came three children - Robin of Forest Lake, MN and Eric and Rudy, both of whom live in Florida.

On February 14, 1985 Sonja married Darryl Neumann.  Sonja and Darryl resided in Boynton Beach, Florida until April of 2000 when they moved to Linwood, MN.  Sonja became a born again Christian in the Spring of 2004.

Sonja was an excellent linguist.  She spoke several foreign languages, including German and Czechoslavakian.  She also loved music, saying at one time, "It was through music that I learned English."

She is preceded in death by her parents, Rudolf and Berta Skalicky; her former husband, Gary Sunderlin; and a sister, Lida Vera Roiland of Appleton, MN.

Sonja is survived  by her husband, Darryl; a daughter, Robin Demaine of Forest Lake; two sons, Eric and Rudy Sunderlin of Florida; a sister, Sue Miller of Bucyrus, Kansas; two grandchildren, Zachary and Kaylee Sunderlin of Florida; a daughter-in-law, Traci Sunderlin of Florida;nephews and nieces, Shawn, Andy, Ryan, Molly, Sarah, Joshua, and Tony.

Memorial service 2 PM, Saturday, November 1, 2008 at Sunnyside Lutheran Church, 6633 227th Avenue NE, Stacy.  Inurnment in Linwood Cemetery.