Merlin J. Sonnentag

Merlin J. Sonnentag, 84, a Marathon City businessman, died in Tavares, Fla., his winter residence, on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2005. Merlin, son of John L. and Magdalena (Uebalacher) Sonnentag, was born Aug. 3, 1920, in Marathon, Wis., graduated from Marathon High School in 1938, and attended Milwaukee Technical College. He married Elaine Henrichs on Nov. 24, 1941, in Wausau, Wis. Merlin was in the sand-and-gravel business with his father. A pioneer in the concrete-and-gravel business, Merlin started manufacturing concrete block in 1946. Later, ready-mix and concrete pipe were added to the product line. Merlin and Elaine founded County Concrete Corp., presently County Materials Corp., which remains the family business. The Marathon City Business Association presented them with the People of the Year Award in 1991. Merlin served the community as a volunteer fireman for more than 20 years. The present Village Fire Station was built with his direction. He was treasurer of the former Marathon City Brewery, a past member of Marathon County Extension Community and Resource Development Council, Marathon County 4-H Trust Board, Marathon Village Zoning Board, the Wisconsin Legislative Council for Reclamation of Non-Metallic Mining, and supported the Marathon County Fair Market Animal Show and Sale for most of his business career. Mr. Sonnentag's interests included raising horses on his hobby farm and showing them in local parades. He enjoyed his many years in Florida, the annual deer hunt at his local cabin on the Rib River, and spending time boating with family and friends on Lake Nokomis, Tomahawk, Wis. He had a great passion for negotiating land transactions. Merlin and Elaine loved to dance and are former members of the Marathon Square Dancing Club and the Central Wisconsin Polka Club. Survivors include his wife, Elaine (Henrichs) Sonnentag; his children, John (Carolyn) Sonnentag, Mount Dora, Fla.; Jane (Jeff) Cote, Eau Claire; Joan (Richard) Zastrow, Bettendorf, Iowa; Jack (Dr. Sandy) Sonnentag, Tomahawk; Julie (Robert) Seubert, Menomonie; Janet (Gary) Zemski, Menominee Falls; Joyce (Glen) Hoeppner, Schofield; and Jill Sonnentag (Jerry Schroeder), Mineral Wells, Texas. Grandchildren include Tim (Rebecca) Sonnentag and their children John, Cameron and Shane; Bill (Amanda) Sonnentag and their daughter Chloe; Kelly (Cote) and Kris Hugdahl and their children Riley and Alyssa; Kimberly (Cote) and Sean Noonan and their son William; Dr. Brent (Andrea) Zastrow and their twin daughters Alexa and Brittany; Brad Zastrow; Jake Sonnentag; Jenna Sonnentag; Kelly (John) Hruby and their daughter Ali; Dr. Jessica Maley; McKenzie Maley; Amy (Seubert) and Jeremy Traynor and their children Derek and Gavin; Brian Seubert; Jahna (Seubert) and Brandon Clark and their daughters Makenna and Sequoyia; Matt Zemski; Joe Zemski; Chad Hoeppner and his son Cole; Chris (Jennifer) Hoeppner and their children Caiden and Kierra; Clint Hoeppner; and one sister, Catherine Scholl, Wausau. Merlin was preceded in death by his parents; one son, James; one grandchild, Baby Cote; one sister, Evelyn Buchberger; and two brothers-in-law, Norbert Buchberger and Alfred Scholl. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 712 Second Street, Marathon. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services Saturday, all at the church. There will be a Bible vigil at 7:30 p.m. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon, is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church Building Fund, 712 Second St., Marathon, WI 54448. Psalm 116:7 Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.