Funeral Services for Robert A. Sonka, of Albert Lea, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Theodore Catholic Church. The Rev. Timothy T. Reker and Deacon Mike Ellis will officiate. Interment will be in Olinger East Lawn Cemetery in Aurora, Colo. at a later date. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church.

Robert died unexpectedly on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine, Fla.

He was 71.

He was born on Jan. 22, 1941, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Leo E. and Vera (Brech) Sonka.

Bob graduated from high school in Norway, Iowa.

He was united in marriage to Elaine Murray on Aug. 4, 1962, in Lawler, Iowa.

Bob began working for Wilson & Co. in Cedar Rapids, and was transferred to Denver.

In 1984 Bob and Elaine moved to Albert Lea where he worked for Wilson & Co., and later for Gold Country Marketing and Northwoods Foods. In his retirement, he worked part time at the Iowa Welcome Center.

He was a member of St. Theodore Catholic Church, the Jaycees, the Eagles Club, the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus and also worked for Loaves and Fishes.

Bob was known for always putting others before himself. He was always donating his time and energy to help someone else. Even though he had a very quiet demeanor, he was known to be a “get it done” kind of a guy, and his nick name with the Wilson & Co. crew was “Magic Bob.”

He enjoyed camping, boating, was a master griller and could fix anything.

Surrounding himself and spending time with family and friends was what life was all about for Bob.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Elaine, four children: Kurt (Lisa) Sonka of Castle Rock, Colo., Kevin (Kim) Sonka of Englewood, Colo., Kim (Don) Thoutt of Highlands Ranch, Colo., and Mike (Pam) Sonka of Castle Rock; grandchildren: Ashley (Houston) Reed, Amber Sonka, Chad Sonka, Ashley Sonka, Dave (Torey) Sonka, Matt Sonka, Devynn Sonka, Torrey Sonka, Bryce, Katelynn, Bradley, Kaylee and Tysen Thoutt, Stephanie and Shawn Sonka; two great-grandchildren: Logan and Morgan; brother Leo (Dorothy) Sonka of Clayton, Wis., sister Rosann (Bill) Nolte of Cedar Rapids, brother-in-law Mike Murray of Lawler, Iowa, and sister-in-law Joanne and her husband Bob Buelow of Allendale, N.J., as well as nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Vera Sonka and his daughter Kelly.

In lieu of flowers memorials suggested to Albert Lea Hospice, Loaves and Fishes or the Humane Society.