Marian Josephine Sondag was born May 14, 1929, to William and Veronica (Grathwohl) Rein at their home in Blue Earth County, Minnesota. She attended Catholic School in Searles and Madelia, Minnesota and finished eighth grade in District 65 and District 20 in Nicollet County. Marian was confirmed at the Church of the Visitation, Swan Lake, in rural Nicollet. She was united in marriage October 4, 1949, to Francis Lyle Sondag in the Church of the Visitation, Swan Lake. Marian was also a member of Catholic United Financial for 67 years. They farmed the Sondag family farm in Nicollet County for 23 years until it was sold. Lyle, Marian and family moved in April 1972 to a dairy farm at Appleton. Marian raised many chickens and also grew cucumbers for Gedney Foods for many years. Marian had a very large raspberry patch and made many batches of very delicious jelly. In addition to all that she always had a huge garden and canned many of her own vegetables for the family. Marian's favorite gardening activity was raising many kinds of flowers that bloomed all summer long. In the winter months she enjoyed knitting many things for the family and as gifts for many others. Marian crocheted and embroidered many interesting items for family and friends. She loved to do any kind of word puzzles as well as setting up many jigsaw puzzles. Marian also enjoyed playing cards any time with anyone or all types of board games with anyone, especially the grandchildren. Marian died on Friday morning, December 27, at Appleton Area Health Services. She had attained 84 years, 7 months, and 13 days of age. She is survived by six children: Gerald Sondag of Appleton, Annette (Doug) Redepenning of Milbank, SD, Wayne (Jacquie) Sondag of St. James, Dianne (Steven) Schwartz of Parkers Prairie, Timothy Sondag of Appleton, and William (Steph) Sondag of Benson; 12 grandchildren: Randy Redepenning, Renee (Ben) Hanson, Jesse (Krystal) Sprint, Amanda Sondag, Matthew Sondag, Anthony Schwartz, Jeremy Schwartz, Jonathon Schwartz, Veronica Schwartz, Danielle Sondag, Kaitlyn Sondag, and Brandon Sondag; great-granddaughter Mikayla Hanson; three brothers: Willard Rein of Lakeville, William (Mary) Rein of Crystal and James (Carol) Rein of Hastings; brother-in-law Charles "Nook" Sondag of New Ulm, sister-in-law Verna Rein of Winthrop; several nieces, nephews and other relatives. Marian is preceded in death by her parents; husband Lyle on June 10, 2004; brother Richard Rein, and sister-in-law Valerie Rein.
