Margaret Ann Parmley Sonntag

Margaret Ann Parmley Sonntag was born to Wilbert and Eva (Plambeck) Hansen on April 14, 1944, in Atlantic, Iowa and died peacefully surrounded by her family on March 6, 2017, at the Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa at the age of 72 years, 10 months, and 22 days.
Margaret was baptized at the Oak Hill Lutheran Church west of Brayton, Iowa on May 14, 1944, by her grandfather Henrik Plambeck and was confirmed there in 1957. Oak Hill Lutheran and St. John’s Lutheran Churches merged and became Brayton Evangelical Lutheran Church where Margaret maintained her membership. Over the years she was a Sunday school teacher and superintendent, substitute organist, choir director, and served on the church council holding the offices of President, Vice-President, and Secretary. Margaret also served as a liturgist and at times filled in preaching sermons.
Margaret attended rural Audubon County School, Oakfield Center #5 through 4th grade and then attended the Exira Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1962. She loved music and participated in band, played the clarinet, and sang in the choir. Following graduation, Margaret moved to Des Moines, Iowa and was a clerk underwriter for the American Insurance Company.
On April 20, 1963, she was united in marriage to David Parmley at the Brayton Lutheran Church. They were blessed with two children Clark David and Renee Annette. They lived around the Exira-Brayton area. Margaret worked at the Valley Restaurant from 1966-1979. From 1979-1984 she worked in accounting for Wheeler Distributing in Exira, Iowa. In 1984 she was employed in accounting for Henningsen Construction until she retired in 2007. Also from 1994-2007 she worked at the Pine’s Steakhouse and Oinker’s lounge. Margaret was a people person and thoroughly enjoyed her customers.
Dave and Margaret traveled around the United States enjoying many sites and visiting friends. Dave died April 30, 2005 after 42 years of marriage. Margaret moved to Atlantic, Iowa and continued working and traveling. A cruise to Alaska with friends was memorable in 2005, when she had the privilege of singing her favorite song, ”My Way”, with a live band for the guest talent show. She made many trips to Montana and Colorado to attend the Plambeck Family Reunions.
On October 14, 2006, she married Marvin Sonntag at the Brayton Lutheran Church in Brayton, Iowa. They both enjoyed traveling and from their Atlantic home they traveled to Europe and visited Denmark and Germany (where their ancestors originated), and several other countries. They loved cruises and went to Alaska, Mexico, Hawaii, and the Panama Canal. While on one of their Alaska cruises they flew around Mount Denali. They enjoyed camping and hiking in the Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Park. They both enjoyed gardening and canning their harvest so they could enjoy the produce all year.
Margaret and her daughter Renee cruised the Caribbean twice, Australia and New Zealand. On her 70th Birthday cruise she swam with stingrays, went to Hell (a city in the Cayman Islands) and visited a turtle farm.
Margaret was a very active member of the Atlantic Business and Professional Women’s Organization. She held several local offices as well as being a State Committee Chairperson where she spoke at the National BPW Conference in Illinois. Another activity she enjoyed was bowling where she was active on a league for over 25 years. Margaret was a charter member of the Exira Community Band and played the clarinet. She enjoyed her monthly breakfasts or dinners with her EHS Pals and was always ready to go anywhere anytime. Margaret and her friends Jacque and Pat were members of the Civic Center in Des Moines and enjoyed many shows each year.
On October 24, 2013, she was given the devastating news she had been diagnosed with ALS. Fortunately, it progressed slowly, but she had to give up some of her activities. With the help of family and friends she continued on even fulfilling her dream of skydiving. She also enjoyed her water therapy classes at the YMCA.
Margaret was preceded in death by her first husband David Parmley; her parents; and her father-in-law Charles Parmley.
Survivors include her second husband Marvin Sonntag of Atlantic, IA; her children Clark (Jayne) Parmley of Springfield, MO, Renee (Bill) Lehman of Granger, IA; her grandchildren Nicholas (Erica) Parmley of St. Robert, MO, William (Shelbie) Lehman and Andrew Tucker Lehman (Jordan Selover) all of Granger, IA; her brothers Maynard (Enola) Hansen and Larry (Linda) Hansen; her mother-in-law Shirley Parmley; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Penny (Greg Stanley) Colleen, Sherri Landsberger, Craig (Becky) Parmley, Winona (Russell)Samuelson, Ellen Niedzielski, Jerry (Theresa) Sonntag, and Don (Lois) Sonntag; her stepchildren Todd (Jolene) Sonntag, Steven (Mikalah) Sonntag, Dennis Sonntag, and Becky (Brad) Willrich; her step grandchildren Michael, Meaghan (Tucker Sager), Joseph, Dillon, Alex, Brooklyn, Reagan, Chase Sonntag, and Lily Willrich; and her step great grandson Milo Sager; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
The family will meet with friends on Wednesday evening, March 8, 2017 at 5:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Thursday afternoon, March 9, 2017, at 2:00 P.M. at the Brayton Lutheran Church in Brayton, Iowa. Interment will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery west of Brayton. The caskets bearers will be Nick Parmley, Willie Lehman, Tucker Lehman, Mark Hansen, Chris Hansen, and Brian Hansen. Memorials may be directed to Renee Lehman at 2039 Vista View Drive, Granger, Iowa 50109.