Lonni J. Sowieja

MONONA – Lonni J. Sowieja, age 53 of Monona, passed away on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at the Don & Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born August 13, 1954 in Eau Claire, the daughter of William and Marcia (Bruss) Denk. Lonni graduated from Greenwood High School in 1972. Following her graduation from Patricia Stevens College in Milwaukee in 1973, she moved to Madison and began her 35 year career working for the State of Wisconsin Legislature. Lonni married her loving husband of 31 years, Gene Sowieja on August 7, 1976 in Greenwood, Wis., and together they had three wonderful daughters. She loved gardening, singing, and was an avid Badger and Packer fan. But most of her enjoyment came from spending time with her family. Lonni was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary and their church choir. She is survived by her husband, Gene; daughters, Tamra (Bryon Klotz) Sowieja, of Janesville; Kari (Chad Wegner) Sowieja, of Cambridge, and Kelsey Sowieja, of Monona; her pride and joy, granddaughter, Taylor; her parents, William and Marcia Denk, of Greenwood; six brothers, Brian (Julie) Denk, of Greenwood, Lorin (Kayla) Denk, of Schofield, Dan (Michelle) Denk, of Stoughton, Doug (Kris) Denk, of Schofield, David Denk, of Greenwood and Riley (Kristy) Denk, of Monona; four sisters, Cindy Birkett, of Monona, Susan (Paul) Denk-Zuehlke, of Madison, Jill (Fred) Gregorich, of Willard, and Nancy (Ric) Denk-Brown, of Fitchburg; and many, many in-law’s, nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Franchescha and August Bruss; and paternal grandparents, William and Mary Denk; and her mother and father-in-law, Eugene and Josephine Sowieja. Services will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CHURCH, 5101 Schofield Dr., Monona on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. with Fr. John Meinholz officiating. Burial will be in Highland Memory Gardens, Madison. Friends may call at the church on Tuesday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.