Milton E. Sonnevik

Milton Edwin Sonnevik was born on December 13, 1923 in Heolycyw, Wales, United Kingdom. He went to be with his Savior and Lord on March 26, 2010. At the age of three, his family moved to Norway where his father served as an evangelist on the west coast of Norway. He accepted Christ as his Savior and Lord at the age of eight by the bedside of his parents. Milton attended public school in Stavanger, Norway and lived there during the German occupation. He came to the United States in 1946, lived one year in Wisconsin, and in the fall of 1947 moved to Bethany, Oklahoma.

Since Milton was fluent in the German language, Bethany Peniel College (now Southern Nazarene University) offered him a teaching position for beginning German. As a result of this job, Milton was able to enroll as a freshman at the college. He met Mabel Ball while teaching his first German Class. They fell in love and were married on November 25, 1948. Two children blessed this union, Margretta Lynn Bromley of Spofford, NH and Kenneth Sonnevik of Olathe, KS.

After graduating, they moved to Wichita, KS. Milton taught 6th grade in public school and earned his Master of Education Degree from Wichita State University. He and his family moved to Pasadena, CA in 1961. He taught 6th grade in Arcadia Unified School District. His final 20 years in public education were spent as principal of Baldwin Stocker Elementary School in Arcadia, CA. He retired in 1986 and moved back to Oklahoma City in 1987.

Milton was a highly respected educator having received numerous awards from his district and community in Arcadia, CA. National awards included…
• American Educators Medal from the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge
• The National Honorary Life Membership from the National Congress of Parents and Teachers
• The Fifth Annual Masonic Americanism Award

Milton served in many civic and church organizations.
• Chairman of the Board of Directors of World Wide Missions for 25 years. In this capacity, he traveled extensively and supervised work in many foreign countries.
• Teacher of adult Sunday school classes.
• President of the Scandinavian Club of Oklahoma.
• Member of Kiwanis Club
• Member of Academy of Senior Professionals

In 2004 Milton and Mabel moved to Silvercrest Retirement Community in Overland Park, KS. Milton became a member of College Church of the Nazarene in Olathe, KS and attended the Ambassadors Sunday School Class. He enjoyed participating in the Life Story group. His stories can be read at www.ccnlifestory.org .

Milton is preceded in death by his parents Ewald O. and Blanche D. Sonnevik and sister, Edith Payne. Milton is survived by his wife Mabel; children Margretta (Mark) Bromley and Kenneth (Carol) Sonnevik; grandchildren Rachel (Greg) Croteau, Jonathan (Lorie) Bromley, Matthew (Nicole) Bromley, Mark (Michelle) Thielenhaus, Tim (Evelyn) Thielenhaus and many great grandchildren; cousins, nieces, nephews in the US and Norway. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

The main memorial service will be held at College Church of the Nazarene; 2020 E. Sheridan; Olathe, KS 66062 on April 17, 2010. Visitation will be at 9:30am with the memorial service at 11:00am. For those unable to attend the memorial service at College Church, a smaller service will be held at Silvercrest at Deer Creek, 13060 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas, on Wednesday, April 14th at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to:
• Southern Nazarene University
Attention: Endowment Development
Milton & Mabel Sonnevik International Students Scholarship Endowment
6729 Northwest 39th Expressway
Bethany, OK 73008

• Family Talk (James Dobson's new ministry)
540 Elkton Drive; Suite 210
Colorado Springs, CO 80907