MARGARETE SONJA LUITJENS, age 91, of Luverne, died Saturday, June 27, 2015, at the Sanford Luverne Medical Center. She was born May 13, 1924, in Unterretzbach, Austria, to Johann and Hermine (Filustek) Prem. She was one of five children, having three sisters & one brother.
In 1946, Sonja met her future husband, LeRoy William Luitjens, in Hallein, Austria, where he was serving with the US Army 42nd Rainbow Division. The couple came to the United States and were married July 9, 1947, at the Salem Presbyterian Church in Reading. After their marriage, they moved to Graettinger, IA and later to Worthington, where Sonja worked as a waitress at several restaurants. In 1961, they moved to Luverne where she worked as a salesclerk at Nelson's Department Store & Leuthold Clothiers.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, in Luverne, where she had served as a Deacon; the Luverne American Legion Ladies Auxiliary; life member of the Luverne VFW Ladies Auxiliary; and a flag bearer for the Department of Americanism Committee. She enjoyed flowers and baking cookies.
Sonja is survived by her husband of sixty eight years, LeRoy Luitjens, Luverne; two sons, Guenther Peter Luitjens, Tulsa, OK; and Roy Henry (Rosemary) Luitjens, Bloomington, IL; eleven grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; six great great grandchildren; and a sister, Elisabeth Landmann, St. Pantaleon, Austria.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Johann Hansel Prem; and two sisters, Antonia Thaller & Hermine Linke.
Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Wednesday at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne; and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Funeral will be 10 am Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church, in Luverne, officiated by Pastor Jason Cunningham. Burial will be at 12:30 pm Thursday at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Worthington.
To view an online obituary, sign a virtual register book or order flowers, please visit www.dingmannandsons.com

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