Verna L. Sonnenberg

Verna L. Sonnenberg, 93, entered into eternal life on Friday, September 4, 2026. Viewing will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., on Wednesday, September 9 at Halouska Family Chaney-Reager F.H. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 10 at Sterling Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Chris Rose officiating. Verna will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery.

Verna was born on February 3, 1933, on the homestead near Haxtun, Colorado, to Floyd Edgar Gabel and Oradell (Schachterle) Gabel. She married Maynard Allen Sonnenberg at the EUB Church in Sterling on July 17, 1953. Four children were born to this union: Randy, Mitzi, Sam and Tim. Maynard and Verna were married for 48 years when he passed in 2001.

Verna was a devoted Christian and was dedicated to teaching others about her faith. With Maynard's encouragement she got involved in Nursery Mothers, VBS and teaching women' s Bible Studies. She was a founding member of LIFT and organized many Bible Studies in the area. She was a member of the Sterling Church of the Nazarene. She worked at the Bible Lighthouse for many years. Another part of her ministry was sending homemade cards to friends and family. Each card contained a personalized message for the card recipient.

Verna loved doing puzzles, especially with her grandkids! Over the years she enjoyed sewing, ceramics, plastic canvas projects, oil painting, word searches, cross-stitch, liquid embroidery, and reading. Music was a large part of her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband Maynard, her parents Floyd and Oradell, and her siblings Vi Proctor, Joyce Walker, and Vern Gabel.

Verna is survived by her children: Randall Alan Sonnenberg, Mitzi Dawn (Orrin) Knutson, Samuel Lee (Julie) Sonnenberg, and Timothy Edward (Tammy) Sonnenberg; grandchildren: Orrin J. Knutson, Vickie Pennington, Robert Sonnenberg, Tara (Matt) Cutshaw, Cheyenne (Kail) Miller, Montana (Charlie) Allen, Jared (Rita) Sonnenberg, Jordan (Cassie) Sonnenberg, Noelle (Derek) Corman, AJ (Sarah) Sonnenberg, Amy (Kate) Sonnenberg-Drury, Cody (Alissa) Sonnenberg, and Daniel Sonnenberg; 22 great grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren (and one arriving soon); and her siblings Eula (Don) Hergenreter of Denver, CO, and Larry (Beth) Gabel of Colby, KS.

In lieu of flowers consider donating in Verna's memory to her favorites; Sterling Church of the Nazarene, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or Hospice of the Plains.