John Henry “Sonny” Van Wilgen, 85, of Albert Lea, formerly of Hollandale, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at Oak Park Place Assisted Living in Albert Lea.

John “Sonny” Van Wilgen

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00PM on Monday, July 29, 2024, at Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Services; with a visitation beginning at noon.

Born on March 24, 1939, in Albert Lea, John was a son of the late, John T. and Ruth (Varner) Van Wilgen and was loved and known by many. John grew up near Hollandale, Minnesota and spent his entire life living on the same property. He was united in Marriage to Janice Kay Van Riper on June 24, 1961 and together the couple shared 61 years.

John owned his own farm drainage company which gave him and Janice the opportunity to travel and explore; there weren’t many states they had not been to. Sonny was an avid dirt track racer his entire life, #49. Not retiring from the hobby till his 70’s, family and friends spent many summer nights following him throughout the tracks cheering him on.

Sonny loved building race cars, traveling, spending time with his children and grandchildren, and giving people a hard time…. In an “oh so fun” way! If he wasn’t picking on someone, he wasn’t Sonny!

He is survived by his children, Jody Van Wilgen, Julie (Craig) Hill of Hollandale, MN; Jon (Peggy) Van Wilgen of Hollandale, MN, Jacquie (Jeremy) Deml-Mauseth of Geneva, MN; Jason (Tammy) Van Wilgen of Hollandale, MN; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, John and Hazel, and his wife, Janice; John was preceded in death by a brother, Gene; sister, Norma; son-in-law, Lawrence Deml; and two sisters-in-law, Cheryl McManaman and Kathy Van Riper.