Owen Sonsthagen

Owen W. Sonsthagen, age 69, found peace in his eternal home on May 31, 2025.
Owen was born on September 26, 1955 in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. He was the youngest son of Irving W. Sonsthagen and June K. (Barber) Acker (both deceased).

Owen was a proud son, brother, partner, father, ‘poppa’, uncle, and friend. He loved unconditionally and supported his family and friends through good times and bad. He touched every soul he came in contact with. He was a handy man of all sorts and lived life with the wind in his hair!

Owen was an avid hunter, musician, Harley motorcycle enthusiast, pool player, golfer, and bowler. He was also a great athlete, especially in baseball. He graduated from Milwaukee School of Engineering to become a very talented mechanical engineer. He eventually moved his family from Milwaukee, WI to Rome, WI in 1998 to escape the ‘rat race’!

Owen decided to change things up again by becoming the owner of Mulligan’s Irish Pub in Wisconsin Rapids in 2007. He enjoyed meeting new people and hanging out with the Mulli’s crew…let’s not forget all the YUKON and 20+ person rounds of shaking for shots. He also found a group to start a band called “4 Shots & We’re Good” that included Paul Dean, Jamie Cumberland, Steph Jinsky, Jesse Gildenzopf, and Sarah Hanson. He loved the jam sessions with all the other musicians too. Owen’s final big change was retiring from the tavern business. He worked part time at West Grand Quality Foods, rode his motorcycle, and golfed.

Owen belonged to groups such as ABATE and the Tavern League. Some of his most famous sayings included…”Skalavotos, Spank It Don’t Thank It, Ya Can’t Give If Ya Ain’t Got It.”

In addition to his parents, Owen was predeceased by his son Chad Sonsthagen; sister Judith Libecki; brother-in-law Dave Henke; and sister-in-law Patricia Sonsthagen. Survivors include his significant other, Jen Lukaszewski (step-children Nathan and Samantha Lukaszewski); daughters Jyll (Austin) Daniels and Jana Sonsthagen; grandchildren: Jordan, Marie, Lauren, Gage, Lily, Olivia, and Madden; also Beth Sonsthagen; as well as his siblings: Barbara Henke, Diane Wolf, Billie (Randy) Grant, June DeGennaro, Christine (Joe) Burger, Irving Sonsthagen, and Richard (Barbara) Sonsthagen; and a plethora of nieces and nephews.

Don’t Mourn Me…Celebrate Me…And We Will Meet Again!
~OWS…The Man, The Myth, The Hair~

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Wisconsin Rapids Elks Lodge at 430 W. Jackson St in Wisconsin Rapids on Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 1:00-5:00 P.M. Please join us to share your stories and celebrate Owen’s life…the way he’d want us to.