Arvin "Sonny" Syverson

Arvin Leon Syverson, better known as Sonny, passed away peacefully at his home on May 19, 2014, at the age of 73 years, after long battle with cancer. Sonny was able to remain at his home with the loving care from his daughter, Pamela, who devoted the last 8 months to be with her father, along with Hospice and the rest of his family. Sonny was born June 2, 1940, in Hagen Township, where he was a lifelong resident. Sonny was the only son of Silven and Mabel (Orwald) Syverson. He was the (Best) brother to Deloris and Marlys. He was baptized at the Calvary Lutheran Church on July 28th, 1940. He was confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ulen on June 17, 1956. He attended school at the Syverson Country School District 105 in Hagen Township as a young child, and also attended school in Felton and Ulen. Throughout his life Sonny was always a hardworking man and worked many long hours. As a young man Sonny farmed and raised beef cattle and did custom bailing. In the spring he also drove truck for the Felton Elevator and area farmers and also worked a short time at American Sugar Crystal Company. Sonny drove semi-truck at Ames Sand and Gravel for 21 years. He also drove truck for Sioux Line for three years and Leach Trucking for 11 years. He was known by all the area truckers as "Bronco". Sonny was eventually forced to retire due to medical reasons. Sonny married DiAnne Beatrice Klevgaard on May 25, 1966, in Sisseton, SD. They had four daughters: Kimberley Ann, Tammy Lynn, Sherrie Ann, and Pamela Jean. After his marriage to DiAnne ceased, Sonny found love again was united in marriage to Julie Ann (Burnside) Langseth on December 15, 1979, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ulen. Julie had three young boys, Johnny Ray, Roy Allen, and Roger David. Sonny and Julie had one son together, Sonny Lee. Sonny loved his family and friends very deeply. They meant the world to him and he cherished all the time he spent with them. A few of Sonny’s other greatest joys in life were country music, dancing, Allis Chalmers tractors, auto racing, pictures, and feeding the birds and squirrels on his farm. Sonny always had a dream to visit Nashville and although this was never fulfilled, he was able to be connected with several country music artists and some of them have become very close with him during his illness. Sonny was always thrilled to receive phone calls, autographs, and other gifts from these new friends, and his Love and Legacy of Country Music will go on in songs to be written about him. Sonny is survived by: his wife, Julie Ann (Burnside) Syverson; children: daughters, Kim Stroh (Mark) of Tappen, ND, Tammy Erickson (Chris) of Ulen, MN, Sherrie Dunn of Jamestown, ND, Pamela Syverson of Minot, ND; sons, John Chounard (Shannon) of Ulen, MN, Roy Chounard (Julie) of Ulen, MN, Roger Chounard (Krista) of Hawley, MN, Sonny Lee of Ulen, MN; 15 grandchildren; Tonya Jahner (Jesse), Chris Grabinger, Brandon Grabinger (Amanda), Cody, CieGie, and Carlie Erickson, Ashley Syverson, Dakota and Levi Guthmiller, Gunnar Syverson, Michael and Casey Chounard, Austin and Dylan Chounard, Travis Syverson; seven great-grandchildren: Morgan, Gage, Grant, Estella, and Avianna Grabinger, Jarret Syverson and Carter Cuypers. Sonny is also survived by sister, Marlys Syverson of Harrisburg, SD and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Sonny is preceded in death by his parents, Silven and Mabel Syverson, sister, Deloris and her husband, Clair Hogenson, his aunts, uncles and several cousins. He will be greatly missed by his wife, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his sister, and anyone who was blessed to have known him. Funeral Services for Arvin Sonny Syverson will be held at 11:00 am on Friday May 23 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ulen. Visitation will be held on Thursday May 22nd from 4-7 p.m., with family present, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ulen. Officiating will be Pastor Mike Rueckert with Carol Lockhart serving as organist and Monica Winter serving as vocalist. Pallbearers will be all of his grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers will be Teddy Askelson, Teddy Haserlud, Glen Holm, Richard Prestegord, Orland Swenson, Melvin Haug, Hospice Yellow Team, All the Country Music Artists who have reached out and shown their love and support to him, and all of his fans on his Facebook page “Songs for Sonny” A special thank you to Hospice of the Red River Valley, Heaven is for Real Ministries and Country Music Artists who have reached out and shown their love and support to him as well as Sonny's fans from his Facebook page, “Songs for Sonny”. Burial will be in West Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Ulen.

Arvin "Sonny" Syverson

June 2, 1940 - May 19, 2014