Funeral services for Sonny Luithle, age 61 of New Leipzig, will be held at 10:30 am Monday, August 10, 2009 at Hope Congregational Church in Elgin. Pastor Ellis Ryherd will officiate with burial in the Neuburg Cemetery northeast of Mott.


Glen Luithle, "Sonny" to his many friends and family, was born on December 15, 1947 in Richardton, ND to Benjamin and Lydia (Maier) Luithle. He grew up on a farm north of Burt, the Bertsch farm, where he attended Odessa School No. 4. The family then moved to a farm farther north, the Gunsch farm, where he attended Odessa School No. 1. This is where he graduated from the eighth grade. He loved to skip school to go hunting, until he got caught. He attended church alongside his family at the Newburg Congregational Church north of Burt. The family then moved to a farm west of Elgin, where he spent most of his life. His dad was in failing health, so Sonny began farming and working various jobs. The jobs included working for Sprecher's coal mining, Billy Hertz farms, Loran Tibke's construction, Leland Schulz's construction, Art Stelter's construction, shearing sheep in various states (mainly Montana), trucking, Rod Ulrich's construction, and working on Dr. Cole's ranch. For the last thirty years, he has worked for his sister and brother-in-law on their farm and ranch.


Sonny had his own farm and ranch, as well. Throughout the years he raised dairy cattle, sheep, and hogs. He also had horses in his early years. He especially loved his horse, Babe, whom he rode from north of Burt to Elgin. For the last thirty years, he has been raising hogs. He took great pride in his hogs, especially the pigs he was able to raise from piglets to sows which he would keep to farrow.


Sonny loved animals of all shapes and sizes. He had a passion for taking care of sick and injured animals. He would always be there to help a troubled animal. He always loved having pets, including his cats Whitey and Mike, which gave him much joy.


Sonny was a very kind, honest, and hardworking man; who would take time out of his day to help anyone in need. He saw the simple things in life. He could always put a smile on your face. He had a beautiful singing voice and loved to sing oldies, especially Elvis Presley songs.


Sonny enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his nieces. He taught them how to fix fence and bale hay, drove around with them checking cattle and the countryside, and spent many hours doing various activities with them. He enjoyed visiting and joking with his many friends; making jokes while speaking German was one of his favorite pastimes. He enjoyed hunting, being outdoors, and watching westerns and comedy movies. In his earlier years, he loved to go fishing with his grandpa.


Sonny passed away on Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at his home south of New Leipzig.


Surviving family members include his sister, Glenda (Chester) Dietz, New Leipzig, ND; 2 nieces, Alecia (Matthew) Tishmack, New Leipzig, ND; Melissa Dietz, New Leipzig, ND; 2 uncles, Richard Maier, Bismarck, ND; John Maier, New Leipzig, ND; 3 aunts, Alvina Kautz, New Leipzig, ND; Leona (Leo) Baesler, New Leipzig, ND; Diane Maier, Mott, ND; and numerous cousins.


He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Lydia, his grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.


Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Monday at Hope Congregational Church in Elgin.