Elizabeth Sonneland

MADISON
Elizabeth (Bette) Sonneland, age 91, of Madison and Naples, FL, died peacefully on June 6, 2016 at St. Mary's Hospital surrounded by family.

Bette was born at St. Mary's Hospital on July 23, 1924 to Dr. Edwin and Violet Schneiders. She grew up in Maple Bluff on the shores of Lake Mendota. Bette graduated from Madison West High School and The University of Wisconsin with a BA in English. She was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Bette married the love of her life, Dr. Arthur M. Sonneland in 1950.

Dedicated to community service, Bette was a member of the Attic Angel Association for almost 50 years, the Madison Symphony Orchestra League, the Maple Bluff Garden Club, the Madison Art League (currently MMoCA) and a passionate Officer of the Yahara Lakes Association. An avid golfer (with a hole-in-one) and tennis enthusiast, Bette was a long-time member of Maple Bluff Country Club. She had a lifelong love and appreciation of nature, spending many hours gardening, bird watching and walking the beaches of Door County and Florida.

Bette's greatest joy has always come from her beloved family. She was a doting mother to her two children, Dr. Arthur Sonneland III (Kay) of Green Bay, WI and daughter Kristin Winchester (Gary) of Madison, WI. Bette lived for her 5 grandchildren, Bradley Winchester (Casey) of Madison, Elizabeth Westerman (Danny) of Madison, Arthur Sonneland IV of Milwaukee, Anna Sonneland of Boulder, CO and JP Zvesper (Carrie) of Milwaukee and her 6 great-grandchildren, Delaney and Owen Winchester, James and Thomas Westerman and Henry and George Zvesper.

Bette is survived by her husband and best friend of 66 years, Dr. Arthur Sonneland, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her three sisters, Suzanne Burroughs of Vero Beach, FL, Rosemary Fritz of Milwaukee, Nancy McLaughlin of St. Petersburg, FL and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, James Schneiders.

The family would like to thank the staff of St. Mary's Hospital ER, Neuro ICU and 7 Southwest for their loving and gentle care.

A private family celebration will be held this summer. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bette's memory may be made to the Attic Angel Association or the St. Mary's Hospital Foundation.

We will forever see Nona in cardinals, hummingbirds, chick-a-dees, gardenias and the sun glitter on Lake Mendota.

Please share your memories of Bette.

Cress Funeral Home
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434