Michael Henry Sonsteng

Michael Henry Sonsteng, 72, of Albany passed away quietly in his sleep the morning of Friday, June 23, 2017, after a brief health struggle in the preceding month.

He was born in Roseau Village, Minnesota on April 30, 1945, to Ina Ophelia Johnson-Sonsteng and Haakon Sonsteng. He went on to serve a distinguished career of 20+ years in the United States Air Force with duty stations all over the world, including but not limited to Germany, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and several stations in the United States. Following his military service, he went on to spend another 20 years working as a truck driver, and took joy in the long, hard, honest work that his job entailed. 

He was a very proud, but modest man.  He enjoyed anonymous service to others, helping the elderly and those less fortunate, and his loving devotion to his family.  Often when he was out to eat, he greatly enjoyed secretly purchasing the meal of a lone diner or single parent dining with their child(ren).  He liked this way of paying it forward.  He was an avid motorcyclist, enjoyed spending time with friends and family, and was a prolific storyteller.

In passing on, Mike has gone on to join his wife, Paula Sonsteng, who passed away in 1989 to whom he remained ever faithful and devoted.  He is survived by his brothers, Loren Carrier and Glenn Sonsteng; and sister, Juanita Stonebraker.  Also his daughter, Cynthia Sonsteng-Sickler and her husband, Greg Sickler, and his four grandchildren, Patrick, Allison, Frederick, and Anna; and his sons, Christopher Sonsteng and Curtis Sonsteng.

He will be loved, remembered and missed by many additional family members, friends, and loved ones.

As he has previously said, he now gets to spend eternity waltzing across the universe with his one true love, Paula.

AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling the arrangements