Marcella Sonka

MARCELLA SONKA

Newhall

Marcella Elizabeth Sonka, 96, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Newhall, died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, at Mercy Hallmar. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Newhall, with burial to follow in St. Patrick and Paul Cemetery, rural Watkins. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW.

Marcella was born Feb. 23, 1918, in Norway, the daughter of John and Katherine (Beyer) Pickart. She graduated from Norway Consolidated School in 1936. Marcella was united in marriage to Jerome Sonka on Aug. 29, 1940, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Norway. Marcella and Jerome were lifetime farmers in the Newhall and Atkins area.

She enjoyed baking, cooking, gardening, dancing, playing cards, visiting with friends and spending time with her family. Marcella was a 60-year member of Catholic Order of Foresters, Altar and Rosary Society and various card clubs.

Marcella is survived by her children, Carolyn Peiffer of Walford, Jerome "Jerry" (Barb) Sonka of Newhall, Steve (Karilyn) Sonka of Champaign, Ill., and Melanie (Tom) Kenney of Iowa City; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Connie Pickart of Cedar Rapids.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jerome; a sister, Lellis Orf; two brothers, Gilbert and Clifford Pickart; and a son-in-law, Dennis Peiffer.

Memorials may be directed to the family or donor's choice of charity in Marcella's name.

"I have had a happy married life and I have enjoyed my four children and all my friends at Hallmar and everywhere." Mom Sonka

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.