JuDean “Sonny” Sundheim was born April 27, 1939, to Ole and Alvina Sundheim in Williston, North Dakota. They say he was small enough to fit in a shoebox. JuDean grew up on the family farm west of Fairview with older sister Delores and brothers Orion, Robert, Jim, and Gerald.

Sonny attended school in Fairview and graduated in the spring of ’58. He then enlisted in the Air Force in the fall of 1959. He was stationed in Florida, Texas, Washington D.C., and Alaska.

After being discharged from the Air Force and returning home, Sonny met the love of his life, Patty. They quickly fell in love and were united in marriage on December 5, 1964. Sonny and Patty were blessed with two sons, Kevin and Shawn, and raised them on the family farm twelve miles west of Fairview.

Sonny had a love of horses, guns, John Wayne westerns, aviation, mowing his lawn, and “trapping those darn moles!”. One of his favorite pastimes was having coffee with his buddies at Sidney Carb & Electric. Sonny also loved cheering on the Vikings and commiserating over the games with Orion the following day. He was also a proud member of the American Legion Honor Guard.

Sonny passed away Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at the Sidney Health Center with family by his side after a brief but fierce battle with cancer.

JuDean is survived by his sons Kevin (Lora) and Shawn (Shelley); grandson Brady (Ashley); and granddaughter Sheridan (Alex).

He is preceded in death by his parents Ole and Alvina, and his beloved wife Patty.