Obituary of Marion Rose Sonichsen

Marion Rose Sonichsen, age 82 of Yankton, SD passed away surrounded by her family on August 27, 2016 at the Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD. On-line condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. Marion was born January 11, 1934 in rural Scotland to Harold & Alta (Weidenbach) Orth. She attended rural elementary school and graduated from Scotland High School in 1951. She attended Nettleton School of Business in Sioux Falls, SD where she graduated with a secretarial degree in 1952. On September 23, 1956, Marion married the love of her life, Jim Sonichsen, at Petersburg Church in rural Lesterville, SD. Marion's profession included secretarial work for 60 years. She was employed by Yankton County Court House, A.H. Law Firm, Mt. Marty College, Jim's Fire Equipment and retiring after 20 years of continuous service at Avera Sacred Heart hospital. Marion was baptized and confirmed in the Scotland United Church of Christ (UCC). She became a member of the Yankton UCC, serving on various boards, Women Fellowship, and was a Sunday School Teacher as well as Girl Scout Leader. She was a trusted servant of the Yankton UCC church and frequently volunteered her time and efforts. Marion belonged to several organizations in the Yankton Community which included VFW, the Women of the Moose, Yankton Volunteer Fire Dept. Auxiliary, Red Hat Society and The Center. Marion's love for traveling took her to numerous locations such as Africa, Hawaii, Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Cancun Mexico, Alaska and several US states. She enjoyed embroidery, sewing, playing cards, board games, and canning from her big bountiful gardens. Marion was notoriously known for her homemade dill pickles, tomato juice, and pumpkin bars. Marion's most precious moments included spending time with her family at the Sonichsen cabin (Red Rock Dock) and watching the beautiful sunsets. Marion will be cherished by her 2 daughters Susan (JD) O'Grady and Peggy (Douglas) Marquardt and 1 son Thomas (Traci) Sonichsen. Her 10 grandchildren include Necol (Jeff) Arens, Ashley O'Grady, Jennifer Lucht, Jeremy O'Grady, Abby (Casey) Kustak, Amanda Fields, Benjamin Sonichsen, Alex Fields, Elsie and Burke Marquardt. She had 4 great-grandchildren: Natalie and Josephine Arens, Beckett and Penelope Kustak. Marion's surviving siblings are her 2 sisters Nadine (Gordon) Jensen of Wakonda, SD, Diane (Wally) Neth of Menno, SD and Ken (George Paolucci) Orth of Boston, MA. Marion is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and extended family members.