WODEN - Frances Sonius, 99, of Woden died Saturday, January 21, 2012 at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, January 25th at St. John's Lutheran Church in Woden with Rev. Robert Wolfert officiating. Burial will be in Bingham Township Cemetery south of Woden.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 P.M., Tuesday at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Woden and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Frances Sonius, the daughter of Anton and Elizabeth (Urban) Schwab, was born October 2, 1912 on a farm near Schittwa, Bohemia. In 1923, she emigrated to America with her sister coming through Ellis Island and settling in Webster City to live with their aunt. Frances attended rural school and helped families in the area with house chores, cooking and anything else that needed tending. She later moved to Woden to help a family where she later met and married her husband, Harm Sonius on February 27, 1932 in Woden. They farmed for thirty-seven years south of Woden retiring in 1967 and moving into Woden. She enjoyed her family, making afghans, baking lemon and chocolate chip bars and volunteering her time at the Woden Senior Citizens Center.

She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, WELCA and was a charter member of Women's Club and the Woden Senior Citizens.

Frances is survived by her three children, Shirley (Heinz) Engel of New Hampton, John (Judy) Sonius of Britt and Richard (Linda) Sonius of Osceola; a son-in-law, John (Deb) Haugen of Klemme; fifteen grandchildren, Laura (Mark) Zipse, Wayne Engel, David (Renae) Engel, Julie Haugen, Deanna Haugen, Paul (Ginger) Sonius, Scott (Becky) Sonius, Lisa (Jeff) Meyer, Katrese (Donald) Ebbers, Kevin (Laurie) Merryman, Kerry Jo (Jacob) Smith, Regina (Rick) Postier, Barry (Amanda) Sonius, Daniel (Melissa) Sonius, Anthony (Sara) Sonius; thirty-eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harm, Mar. 13, 1980; daughter, Gloria Haugen, March 31, 1989; an infant son, Anton; six sisters; and two brothers. ... Read More