SYLVESTER “SY” LONNEMAN, age 88, of Adrian, died Thursday, March 23, 2017, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. He was born January 29, 1929, in Westside Township, rural Adrian, to Antone and Elizabeth (Weidert) Lonneman. He attended St. Adrian Catholic School. Sy was drafted into the United States Army in June of 1951. He took basic training at Fort Riley, sent to leadership school and promoted to Corporal. He served twenty two months in the Army during the Korean Conflict. While serving in Korea, Sy was wounded and spent five months in a hospital in Japan. He was sent back to Korea’s frontline and left as a Sergeant First Class when earning enough points to be discharged in March of 1955. Sy was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge and the Korean War Medal.
Sy married Helen Wieneke on February 1, 1956, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Adrian. The couple began farming with Sy’s brother, Anthony & Rita for seventeen years south of Adrian. Then continued to farm with his family until his retirement.
He was a member of St. Adrian Catholic Church; Chairman of the Parish Board; and Chairman of the Financial Council; the St. Adrian Knights of Columbus, communion distributor to the shut-ins and an usher. He was also Chairman of the Federal Landbank Board, an AMPI Delegate, Nobles County Pork Producers Delegate, and Secretary of the Adrian Elevator Board and a member of the Adrian American Legion.
Sy enjoyed “fly in” fishing trips to Canada, traveling through the United States and golfing with his wife, Helen. Sy played baseball for many years and enjoyed playing poker. He and his wife attended numerous high school and collegiate athletic events involving their children & grandchildren.
Sy is survived by his wife, Helen Lonneman, Adrian; seven children, Mark (Lori) Lonneman, Adrian; Jerry (Connie) Lonneman, Adrian; Cindy Lonneman, Avon; Linda Lonneman (special friend, Terry Worth) Sunrise Beach, MO; Kevin (Nancy) Lonneman, Adrian; Ron (Leah) Lonneman, Adrian; and Allan (Valerie) Lonneman, Sioux Falls, SD; fourteen grandchildren, Aaron, Shaina, Kayla & Brady Lonneman; Tammy (Jon) Veld, Andrea (Erik) Kathman & Chad Lonneman; Andrew & Nate Lonneman; Mitchell & Bailey Lonneman; and Chloe’, Jacob & Dakota Lonneman; six great grandchildren, Mason, Kallie, Logan & Brayden Veld; and Kinsley & Brody Kathman; sister, Lorraine Monarch, Sioux Falls, SD; three brothers, Anthony (Rita) Lonneman, Adrian; Orville (Elaine) Lonneman, Sioux Falls, SD; and Frances (Suzie) Lonneman, Adrian; and many nieces & nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Dean in 1965; son, Tim in 1987; two sisters, Leona Lonneman and Rita Cook; and two brothers, Vincent & Joseph Lonneman.
Visitation will be from 4-7 pm Sunday, with parish prayers at 4 pm, at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Adrian. Visitation also from 9 to 9:45 am Monday at the funeral home. Funeral Mass will be Monday at 10 am at St. Adrian Catholic Church, in Adrian, officiated by Monsignor Rick Colletti. Burial with full military honors provided by the Adrian American Legion will be in the St. Adrian Cemetery.
