Mark V. Sonju, 54

Mark V. Sonju “went to be with the Lord” two days after his 54th birthday at KRMC due to heart complications. He was surrounded by his family and many devoted friends at his side. 

He was born to what would become a very large family to Leo and Shirley Sonju in Cut Bank on Jan. 7, 1960. He graduated from Cut Bank High School in 1978.

After high school, he moved to the Flathead Valley and worked at Sonju Body Shop and DePratu Ford before he started his own very successful business, Rainmaster Inc., which he and his wife had built together over the years and is still running today.  

He married Brenda Lillie of Kalispell in 1986. He has three daughters, Sheena, Kayla and Ashley Sonju, and one unofficially adopted son (nephew) Joseph Hallenberg. He has one rambunctious grandson, Holden. 

He was always ready to help family, friends and community. He was involved in Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department for many years. He was commited to helping his church, Faith Lutheran, with his men’s Bible study, being on the building committee, trustee board and he did multiple mission building trips. He was always able to relate to people by helping, encouraging and always trying to get people to think “outside of the box.” He had a witty, fun sense of humor. He was empathetic to the needs of others and always put others first.  

He is preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Tom.  

He is survived by his wife, daughters, grandson and siblings, Laurie (Dick) Mitchell, Debbie (Gary) Hallenberg, Deanna (Ron)Avent, David (Laurie) Sonju, Leona (SJ) O’Brien, Sandy (Allen) Cutchin, Lynda (Paul) Malcolm, and Robert Sonju; numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces, great nieces and great nephews and many, many friends.  

We will all miss him greatly. Heaven truly gained an angel.  

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 14 at Faith Church.

Rather then flowers, family and friends would like gifts sent to Special Olympics of Montana, 710 First Ave. North, Great Falls, MT 59401, or Faith Church Building Fund, 405 Liberty St., Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Mark’s family. You are invited to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Mark’s tribute wall, offer condolences or share memories.

“Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” — Psalms 30:5