Erwin Henrichs Jr.

The memorial service for Erwin “Sonny” Henrichs Jr., of Donnelly, Minnesota will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the Faith Lutheran Church, in Morris, Minnesota, with Reverend Dell Sanderson officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be at Summit Cemetery in Morris at a later date.

Erwin LeRoy “Sonny” Henrichs, Jr., son of Erwin Sr. and Clara (Giese) Henrichs was born on March 4, 1946 at the Morris Hospital in Morris, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Morris. Sonny grew up on the family farm northeast of Donnelly, Minnesota. Attending school in Hoffman, he excelled on the high school football team. Graduating from Hoffman High in 1964, Sonny began farming with his father. He married Elaine Lesmeister in January of 1965, through this union one son, Brian was born. That same year, Sonny purchased his own farm in Rendsville Township, 3½ miles from the family farm. He married Loraine Johnson on February 15, 1997. The couple continued to live on the farm, where Sonny was engaged in farming with his son, Brian and grandson, Darrick until his retirement in 2017. After his retirement, Sonny continued to oversee the farm duties from his kitchen window.

He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Morris. Sonny and Loraine over the past 23 years enjoyed spending winter months at South Padre. He liked watching local sporting events and following the MN Vikings. Sonny had a passion for the land and farming; and will be remembered as a kind man and a hard worker.

Sonny died on Friday, March 15, 2019, under the care of Knute Nelson Hospice, surrounded by family at his farm home. He was 73 years old.

He is survived by his wife: Loraine Henrichs; one son: Brian (Cindy) Henrichs; and three grandchildren: Darrick (Amber) Henrichs, Haley Henrichs and Mikaela (Michael) Welch, and one great-granddaughter: Bristol Welch, all of Donnelly, MN;  one sister: Carrie Melchert, Morris, MN; one niece: Kay (David) Storck; and a great-niece and great-nephew: Courtney and Corey Storck, all of Morris, MN; three step-sons: Tony Lewis, Terry Lewis and Greg Bakke; and five sisters-in-law. Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, one brother-in-law: Delbert Melchert, one nephew: Steven Melchert, one sister-in-law, and two brothers-in-law.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of the memorial services. An online guest book can be signed at www.pedersenfh.com