Joseph &8220;Joey&8221; Sonnek, 84, of Wells, died Saturday, Aug. 25, 2007, at Parkview Care Center in Wells. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells. Visitation will be today from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m., and one hour prior to the service at the church tomorrow, with a Rosary starting at 9:30 a.m. Rev. Eugene Stenzel will officiate and burial will be in St. Casimir Catholic Cemetery in Wells.

Joseph L. Sonnek was born March 2, 1923, in rural Wells, the son of Joseph J. and Agnes (Cegla) Sonnek. Joey attended country school and St. Casimir’s Parochial School. He served his country in the Merchant Marines during World War II, where he served over seas in the Atlantic War Zone and Mediterranean Middle East War Zone. He returned home and drove semi for Musser and Company. He married the love of his life, Bernice Bathke on Sept. 21, 1950. Joe and his family lived on the family farm outside of Wells. He farmed, raised pigs, chickens and milked cows until his retirement in 1987, when the couple moved into Wells. Joe and Bernice were married for 56 wonderful years and would have celebrated their 57th anniversary in September. Joe was a member of St. Casimir Catholic Church and the Wells Legion Post #210. Joe enjoyed farming, playing cards with his many dear friends and family. He also enjoyed feeding squirrels, making homemade bologna and Krupe with his sons and friends. Most of all, he loved being with his family.

He is survived by: his wife Bernice (of nearly 57 years) of Wells; children: Roger (Beverly) Sonnek of Loves Park, Ill., Tom (Deb) Sonnek of Fairmont, Ron (Cindy) Sonnek of Freeborn, Dee Ann Christensen (Fianc/ Dan Olson) of Freeborn, Mike (Wendy) Sonnek of Hutchinson; 12 grandchildren: Jason Sonnek, Justin Sonnek, Amanda (Steve) Henion, Matt (Katie) Sonnek, Aaron Sonnek, Angela Sonnek, Heather Sonnek (Special friend Nick), Chad Sonnek (special friend Jessa), Stacey Sonnek (special friend Eric), Danielle (Dan) Stienhauer, April Banashak (special friend Damien Brase) and Courtney Christensen;

three Great grandchildren: Mya, Kayden and Izabella.

Preceding him in death were his parents, son Terry, one sister, Marion Thompson, two brothers: Ralph and Jerome Sonnek; three nephews: Richard, Steve and Brian; one niece: Lynn, two sons-in-law: Don Banashak and Dean Christensen.