Jerry Sonich

Jerome D. Sonich, 81, passed away peacefully, with his wife by his side, on Monday August 5, 2024 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center, in Blue Earth, MN.

Jerome (Jerry) was born on December 21, 1942, in Rockford, IL, the son of Lt. Col. John J. and Marjorie P. Sonich. Jerry grew up as an "Army Brat" traveling with his parents and experiencing the world, as they were stationed in Germany and Hawaii among other locations. Jerry received his undergraduate degree receiving a basketball scholarship in Georgia. He was accepted to West Point Military Academy before being turned down due to Rheumatic Fever, as a child. Jerry completed his Masters in School Administration at Mankato State University in 1965. He was offered a teaching position and moved to Blue Earth where he enjoyed housing several foreign exchange teachers, in his early teaching years. Jerry enjoyed a 35-year teaching career retiring in 2000. 

Jerry met his wife, Janice (Jan) on one of his many shopping excursions to Juba’s (Super Value). They married in 1978 at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Blue Earth and recently celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary. 

During his time in Blue Earth, Jerry also coached high school basketball, high school tennis, refereed at countless basketball games, coached high school chess club, and was brave enough to instruct behind the wheel drivers training. Jerry was a founding member of the Sertoma Club, in Blue Earth, as well as holding a long-standing position as Treasurer for Trinity Lutheran Church. You could often find Jerry outside tending to their many outdoor flowers in the summertime or watching the birds on the feeders from his chair on the deck. Jerry always had a passion for dogs, at one time having three prize winning Sheep Dogs he would show and had many other ‘favorite’ dogs to follow. He still holds a record for the late bowling league in Blue Earth with his best game of 298. He enjoyed socializing with his coffee friends over dice in the many cafés over the years, any day during the week after school. He also assisted his wife, Jan, with their businesses: Heart & Sole/The Shoe Tree and The Clothes Line on Main Street in Blue Earth. Jerry often celebrated living each day with a glass of champagne, because, why not? 

Jerry loved his wife, children & grandchildren, as well as his many extended family members. He is survived by his wife Janice (Thompson) Sonich of Blue Earth, MN, daughters, Michele (Todd) Stewart of Elmore, MN; Heidi (Juan) Sanchez of Hayfield, MN; son, John (Dianna) Sonich of Mankato, MN; grandchildren, Alexander (Lindsey) Stewart of Peoria Il; Zaine Stewart of Blue Earth, MN; and Olivia Stewart of Ames, IA; Kingston Sonich, and Micah Ramoo of Mankato, MN; sister, Sheila Roslin of Aberdeen WA; sisters-in-law, Vonnie (Ray Bosma) Pilgrim of Buffalo Center, IA; Darlene Huston of Blue Earth, MN; Rosemary (Pat) Hardy of Bradenton, FL; brothers-law, Alan (Nancy) Thompson, Gordon, WI; Dick (Lynn Reiten) Zuehlke of Hutchinson, MN and a special cousin MaryAnn Reed of Brookfield, MO. Jerry is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their families. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lt. Col John and Marge Sonich, brothers-in-law; Robert Thompson, Al Landheer, Dean Pilgrim, and Nyle Huston, sisters-in-law; Joyce Landheer, and Janet Zuehlke. 

 A visitation will be held at 9:30 am followed by a Celebration of Life service (11:00 am) at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Earth on Saturday August 10, 2024. Interment will immediately follow at Riverside Cemetery also in Blue Earth, Minnesota. A favorite meal of Jerry’s will follow in the gathering place back at Trinity. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Luke's, UHD Hospice or Trinity Lutheran Church would be appreciated.