Harvey Sonnenberg

Harvey Sonnenberg, age 71, of Vergas, passed away unexpectedly at Perham Living on Wednesday, May 11, 2016.

A funeral service for Harvey will be held 11 a.m., Monday, May 16, 2016, at the Vergas Vergas Event Center. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Sunday, May 15, 2016, at the Vergas United Methodist Church with a prayer service to be held at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Sunday.

Harvey Edwin Sonnenberg was born on November 29, 1944, in Perham, Minnesota to Theodore and Alvina (Hoffman) Sonnenberg. He grew up in Vergas. He attended Country School & Perham High School. He helped his family with farming. He drove truck for Daggett Truck Lines in the late 1960’s.

He married Irma Benson on February 2, 1968. Together Harvey and Irma purchased Benson’s Café in Frazee from Irma’s parents, which they ran until the early 1970’s. Harvey and Irma moved to Vergas where Harvey worked as a night watchman. In the late 70’s, Harvey and Irma purchased the Corner Bar in Vergas – Sonnenberg’s Tap. They sold the bar in the early 1980’s. Harvey went to work for Evansons Trucking in Pelican Rapids driving turkey truck.

Harvey was retired member of the Vergas Fire Department and was the manager of the Vergas Loon’s baseball team. Harvey returned to work as a bartender and cook at Billy’s Corner Bar for a few years. He then went on to work construction for Kenny Schepper, Acklin Construction and Hough Inc. until he became disabled.

Harvey enjoyed hunting, fishing, wrestling, playing bingo and playing cards. His favorite teams to watch were the Loon’s baseball, Minnesota Vikings and Twins. Harvey very much enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, Braylen and Caleb.

Harvey and Irma had 3 children; Renee, Bucky (Scott) and Brandon.

Harvey is survived by his wife, Irma; a daughter, Renee, and special friend, Perry, of Vergas; 2 sons: Scott (aka Bucky) and wife, Julie, of Frazee, Brandon and wife, Kayla, of Frazee; 2 grandchildren: Braylen and Caleb; 2 brothers: Rick (Shelby) of Vergas, and Raymond (Diane) of Vergas; 1 sister, Janice Poss; along with several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Harvey is preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Alvina; 2 brothers: Warren and Loren; father-in-law & mother-in-law, Sam and Irene Benson; brothers-in-law, Chester Benson and Cecil Poss; sisters-in-law, Sara O’Grady, Carol Benson and Bev Sonnenberg; niece LaVonne Richards; and nephew, Jerry Poss.