On the late afternoon of June 26, 2015, Sonny passed away at his home peacefully with his family, nurse and Miah the dog by his side after a long battle with cancer. Sonny was 83 years old.
Sonny was born in Helena, Montana on November 22, 1931 to Edward and Dorothy Magnus. Sonny was raised in Helena and worked on a farm and the railroad as a gandy dancer; then moving to Anaconda to work at the Anaconda smelter. Sonny married Christeen Hinkey in 1954; they had three daughters, Wanda, Melodie and Joan. Sonny then moved to Washington and went to work for Boeing in 1958 where he worked until he retired after 40 years of service. Sonny was a merchant marine and also in the National Guard and Army Reserve. After Sonny and Christeens divorce he met and married Helen Felt in 1968 in Tacoma Washington after only 8 short years Helen passed away from cancer. In 1978 Sonny met and married Lois Peelle “Sugar Babe”, they were married for 25 years until her passing in 2003. After Lois’s passing Sonny moved back home to Helena. Sonny love to go with his brother Don for coffee at the Donut Hole and Shelly’s café, they would also go to railroad to watch the trains come in and go out and to the airport to watch the planes land. Sonny and his sister Birdie would make their daily rounds stopping by his nieces salon and then onto the Motherlode to play keno and lunch with his best friend Leonard and wife, Ina Sparing. All the girls and staff new him as Uncle Sonny, except for Helen, who called him her “Sonny bunny”. Sonny looked forward to receiving calls from his sisters Lucille, Vivian, and brother Royal weekly when they could talk about old times.
Anyone who knew Uncle Sonny knew that John Wayne was his hero and that his favorite things were his cat (Queeny), trains, planes and watching the Mariners play baseball. His favorite football team was, of course, the Seahawks even if Scott bought him a Chiefs hat. Sonny loved to dance which his sister Vivian taught him very well. He also loved to travel and some of his trips were, on a cruise to Hawaii with brother Don. His niece Bobbie and her husband Ron took Sonny and his sister Birdie on a cruise to Alaska. They also went to Cancun or as uncle Sonny would say “Cancoo” for great niece, Maggie’s wedding. He also loved to go to the family cabin in Lincoln where he would sit under the pine tree and smoke his cigarettes and say that this is where he wanted to be. In March of 2015 Sonny had to leave his apartment where had lived for several years and leave his friends whom he had called “the kids”. Sonny would tap on the radiator at six a.m. to them know it was time get up and go have a smoke. Sonny moved into his family’s home and still would call whoever at all hours of the day or night to go “wee wee” and then ask if he could have a smoke. Sonny loved everyone and everything.
Sonny is survived by his daughters, Wanda Gumm of Coure d’ alene, Idaho, Melody Barringer of Spokane, Washington, Joan (Don) Wasson of Rochester, Washington, brothers Don Magnus of Helena, Royal (Marcia) Magnus of Alpine, California, sisters Lucille Howe of Mesa, Arizona, Birdie Staley of Helena, Vivian Parent of Kent, Washington, grandchildren Kerri (Chris) Knop of Idaho, Misty (John) McNeil of Idaho, Justin (Jannise) Bean of Washington, great grandchildren, Jonathan and Makayla, Kaden and Kyleena of Idaho, Camden and Brayton, of Washington and numerous nieces nephews and cousins.
Sonny was preceded in death by his parents Dorothy and Edward Magnus, his wives Helen and Lois Magnus and brother Elmer Barrow.
Memorials may be sent to Frontier Hospice in Ed “Uncle Sonny’s” name. Cremation will be take place after services and laid to rest at the cabin at a later date. We would like to thank pastor Brad Ulgenes, Anderson Stevenson Wilke funeral home, Doctor Weiner and staff, Frontier Hospice and staff, his favorite nurse Lisa and bath lady Deb, Stacey, Colleen, Andy, Stephan and the rest of our family and friends whom there were too many to list for all the caring, love and help with uncle Sonny. A very special thank you to Shauna for everything you did for Uncle Sonny. Until we meet again may peace and love be with you.
A viewing will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A Funeral Service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home with a reception to follow the service at the family home. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Uncle Sonny.
Service Schedule
Viewing
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday July 7, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 8, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Viewing
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday July 7, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 8, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Dorothy McCarter says
Mike and I are so saddened to learn of Sonny’s passing. What a wonderful guy! The world just won’t be the same without him. To his brother and children, please accept our deepest deepest sympathies.
Jeffrey Christenot says
Hi I’m Jeffrey, ed was my uncle, and brother of my grand father Elmer barrow, and uncle to my mom Karen larson. You will be missed by family, relatives, and friends.
Britney Uncles says
Uncle sunny taught me that no matter what you just have to laugh! He is the only person I met that allowed me to have my own identity while still making me remember where I came from no matter how much it annoyed me. He refused to use my name, and always called me little Dorothy cuz I look and he said act just like my mom. I will never forget how wonderful and loving you are. Glenn, the girls, and I will forever miss you. Love you more than the stars uncle sunny. May you rest in peace.
Melodie Barringer says
R.I.P. Dad you will be greatly missed and I will miss talking to you on the phone. Love you very much.