Stephanie A. Sonnenberg

Stephanie A. Sonnenberg, 46, entered the Church Triumphant peacefully on October 17, 2023.  She was born on August 23, 1977, in Napoleon, Ohio.  She was baptized by The Rev. Jim Merkel at Hope Lutheran Church in Hamler, Ohio on October 30, 1977.  For many years, she was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran in Auburn, Indiana where she confirmed her faith on April 8, 1993, with The Rev. Dr. Clark E. Hobby.  Since 2010, she attended First Church of Christ in Garrett, Indiana. She was a 1996 graduate of DeKalb High School.

She was active for many years in Special Olympics participating in gymnastics, swimming, track & field, and bowling.  She enjoyed going to her Bible study and her weekly day out with her respite care buddy, Carol (Curol).  As a native Ohioan, she was an avid Ohio State Buckeyes fan.  She was fortunate enough to attend a few Buckeye football games at the Shoe.  Since its conception, Stephanie has been a volunteer at St. Martin’s Healthcare in Garrett.

For twelve years, she was the breadstick girl at Fazoli’s in Auburn.  Since 2008, she worked at Children’s First Center (CFC) in Auburn, making a full cycle as she was enrolled in preschool at CFC as a child.

She is survived by her parents, Eugene (Gene) and Julie (Knipp) Sonnenberg of Garrett, Indiana; brother, Ryan Sonnenberg of Garrett; brother, Shane Sonnenberg and brother-in-law, Will Phillips of Manassas, Virginia; grandmother, Carmen Knipp of Holgate, Ohio; two nieces, Windezsa Maxwell of Garrett and Summer Positano of Lansing, Michigan; and a great-niece, Oaklynn Maxwell of Garrett and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Also surviving are many favorite friends.

She was preceded by death by her grandparents, Alvin and Christina Sonnenberg and Ross Knipp and her great-grandmother, Novella Reed.

Stephanie was a gift to so many people and in death, she was a gift to others as an organ and tissue donor.

Friends and family are invited to Thomas Funeral Home on Thursday, October 19, 2023, 2:00-8:00 PM.  A Celebration of Life and Funeral will be October 20, 2023, at First Church of Christ in Garrett, Indiana at 11:00 AM with viewing an hour prior to the service.  As a final tribute to Stephanie, it is requested that attendees wear scarlet and grey or The Ohio State University attire or “You’re My Favorite” shirts.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be given to St. Martin’s Healthcare (Garrett), Children’s First Center (Auburn), or First Church of Christ (Garrett).

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